Columbia Cancels Large-Scale Graduation Amid Pro-Palestinian Protests

NEW YORK CITY — Columbia University canceled its planned university-wide May 15 commencement amid lingering tensions from a violent crackdown on pro-Palestinian protests, school leaders said.

The Ivy League will instead hold "smaller-scale, school-based celebrations," a university announcement Monday states.

The announcement — which only vaguely alludes to recent weeks' turmoil — leaves open the potential for a graduation celebration.

"These past few weeks have been incredibly difficult for our community," the announcement states.

"Just as we are focused on making our graduation experience truly special, we continue to solicit student feedback and are looking at the possibility of a festive event on May 15 to take the place of the large, formal ceremony."

The graduation cancelation is only the latest rupture for daily life at Columbia University after pro-Palestinian protesters started an encampment on campus in April.

The student demonstrators set up dozens of tents and called for the university to divest from its interests in Israel and verbally acknowledge Palestine's "existence and humanity," according to the SJP Instagram page.

Following warning letters distributed to student protesters Wednesday night, more than 100 demonstrators were arrested and students were suspended after Shafik called the NYPD to sweep the encampment April 18.

But that did little to quell the protests.

Protesters continued their encampment after the arrests and engaged in ultimately fruitless talks with administrators.

The final crackdown unfolded after a group of protesters occupied an academic building, Hamilton Hall — an action that school officials, Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD brass contended had been in part driven by "outside agitators."

Hundreds of cops swarmed Columbia's campus April 30, retook Hamilton Hall, broke up the encampments and arrested 112 people.

But the crackdown, despite police officials' rosy claims of success, did little to restore order, as police were called to remain on campus. Cops' actions, including their inability to detail the numbers of supposed "outside agitators," also faced harsh criticism.