NEW YORK - Columbia University announced on Monday that they will be scrapping their original commencement ceremony plans following weeks of protests and turmoil on campus. Instead of a single large ceremony, each school will now hold smaller, individual ceremonies at different locations. This decision comes after students were removed from the South Lawn, where the main ceremony was supposed to take place on May 15.
One of the main reasons cited for this change was security concerns, according to a university official.
Despite the alterations, the university assured that students will still have the opportunity to celebrate. The revised plan was developed after discussions with students to determine their preferences.
In a statement, Columbia expressed their commitment to providing students with the celebration they desire: "We are determined to give our students the celebration they deserve, and that they want. Based on their feedback, we have decided to make the centerpiece of our Commencement activities our Class Days and school-level ceremonies, where students are honored individually alongside their peers, rather than the University-wide ceremony that is scheduled for May 15."
Update on School-Based Graduation Ceremonies
Due to student preference, most of the school-based graduation ceremonies will now be held at the schools' Baker Athletics Complex. Tickets will be required for entry.
"Our students have expressed that these smaller-scale, school-based celebrations hold the most significance for them and their families. They are excited to walk across the stage, bask in the applause and pride of their loved ones, and listen to the inspiring words of their school's guest speakers. Therefore, we have decided to allocate our resources towards these school ceremonies to ensure they are safe, respectful, and well-organized. Our teams are already working diligently towards this goal, and the Deans and school staff are enthusiastic about collaborating with the students to create memorable and unique celebrations for this special occasion," the school administration stated.
Below is the updated schedule for the ceremonies:
Friday, May 10
• 8:30 a.m. - Professional Studies, Morning Ceremony | Baker Athletics Complex
• 12:30 p.m. - Professional Studies, Afternoon Ceremony | Baker Athletics Complex
• 4:30 p.m. - Social Work | Baker Athletics Complex
• 5:30 p.m. - Columbia Climate School | The Forum
Saturday, May 11
• 8:00 a.m. - Business School, EMBA & PhD Candidates | Baker Athletics Complex
• 11:30 a.m. - Business School, MBA | Baker Athletics Complex
• Architecture, Planning and Preservation | St. Paul's Chapel
Schedule of Graduation Ceremonies
Sunday, May 12
- 8:00 a.m. - Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, PhD | Baker Athletics Complex
- 10:00 a.m. - Baccalaureate Service | St. Paul's Chapel
- 11:00 a.m. - Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, MA | Baker Athletics Complex
- 3:00 p.m. - The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, Graduate Ceremony | Baker Athletics Complex
Monday, May 13
- 8:00 a.m. - Columbia School of General Studies | Baker Athletics Complex
- 11:45 a.m. - The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, Undergraduate Ceremony | Baker Athletics Complex
- 3:30 p.m. - Law School | Baker Athletics Complex
- 7:30 p.m. - International and Public Affairs | Baker Athletics Complex
Tuesday, May 14
- 9:30 a.m. - Columbia College | Baker Athletics Complex
- 10:00 a.m. - School of Nursing | The Armory
- 10:00 a.m. - Physical Therapy | Alumni Auditorium, CUIMC
- 3:30 p.m. - Genetic Counseling | VEC 201, CUIMC
- 4:00 p.m. - Mailman School of Public Health | The Armory
- 5:00 p.m. - Business School, MS | David Geffen Hall, Manhattanville Campus
- Teachers College | United Palace Theatre
Wednesday, May 15
- 12:00 p.m. - Journalism School | Roone Arledge Auditorium, Lerner Hall
- 2:00 p.m. - Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons | The Armory
- 4:00 p.m. - Barnard College | Radio City Music Hall
- 7:00 p.m. - School of the Arts | Roone Arledge Auditorium, Lerner Hall
- Teachers College | United Palace Theatre
Thursday, May 16
- 10:00 a.m. - Occupational Therapy | Alumni Auditorium, CUIMC
- 10:30 a.m. - Dental Medicine, Predoctoral | The Armory
- 2:00 p.m. - Institute of Human Nutrition | Alumni Auditorium, CUIMC
- 4:00 p.m. - Dental Medicine, Postdoctoral | The Armory
