May 17, 2025
As graduation season unfolds across New York, colleges and universities are implementing stricter measures to curb potential protests, particularly those related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This heightened vigilance comes amid significant pressure from the Trump administration, urging institutions to quell pro-Palestinian advocacy on campuses.

Tensions are Escalating

The tension escalated when New York University (NYU) withheld the diploma of a graduating student who used his commencement speech to voice strong criticism of Israel's war in Gaza. This action signals a hardening stance by universities aiming to avoid the scrutiny and potential repercussions faced by institutions deemed to have mishandled campus demonstrations.

In the lead-up to graduation ceremonies, many New York schools are proactively reminding students of existing protest regulations or even limiting opportunities for graduates to deliver speeches. This preemptive approach reflects a desire to avoid the disruptions and negative attention that have plagued graduations in the past.

The federal government has amplified the pressure by revoking funds from colleges facing criticism from pro-Israel groups and conservatives who argue that universities haven't done enough to intervene in campus demonstrations. Last year witnessed a walkout at NYU and protests at other school graduations, underscoring the challenges institutions face in balancing free speech with maintaining order during these high-profile events.

NYU defended its decision to withhold student speaker Logan Rozos' diploma, stating that he exploited his speaking role at the Gallatin School ceremony to express what they described as biased and politically charged views. Rozos, 24, referred to the war as a "genocide" supported by the United States, a statement met with both cheers and online condemnation.

NYU spokesman John Beckman asserted that Rozos "lied about the speech he was going to deliver and violated the commitment he made to comply with our rules." He further apologized that the audience was "subjected to these remarks" and that the moment was "stolen by someone who abused a privilege."

While the university-wide commencement at Yankee Stadium proceeded without major incident, the controversy surrounding Rozos' speech and a prior ban on decorated caps and scarves at the Graduate School of Arts & Science highlight the underlying tensions on campus. Students and faculty criticized the cap and scarf ban as an infringement on free speech, suggesting that NYU is attempting to suppress expressions of solidarity rather than addressing the root causes of student activism.

Preventive Measures

The City University of New York (CUNY) system is also taking measures to prevent disruptions. CUNY Law School, which canceled student speakers at last year's graduation due to politically charged remarks, once again did not include a student representative on the agenda for their commencement ceremony. While the law students organized speakers for a smaller awards ceremony, the decision to exclude them from the main event underscores the university's cautious approach.

At City College, another CUNY campus that experienced antiwar tent demonstrations last year, graduation ceremonies will be significantly scaled back. Citing "financial constraints" and "limited human resources," President Vincent Boudreau announced the cancellation of departmental graduations, though a school-wide commencement is still planned. CUNY officials previously reported spending approximately $3 million on protest-related damages and increased security measures at City College, raising questions about the extent to which the potential for further protests influenced the decision to scale back graduation events.

Columbia University, which canceled its university-wide commencement last year after activists occupied Hamilton Hall, is proactively urging students to adhere to protest rules during the upcoming ceremony. A message from a "Rules Administrator" emphasized that disruptions, including impeding access, interrupting proceedings, or interfering with others' participation, could lead to violations of university rules. The memo also indicated that university delegates and public safety officers, some with newly granted arrest powers, would intervene in the event of rule-breaking protest activity. While a Columbia spokesman affirmed preparations for "safe and successful events," specific details regarding security measures were not disclosed. Notably, 71 Columbia students suspended for a library protest are banned from campus and thus unable to attend graduation.

Graduating students fill the Columbia University campus during a graduation ceremony in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

Additional Complexity

Adding another layer of complexity, Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian graduate student at Columbia, remains in immigration detention and will be unable to attend his graduation. His classmate, Mohsen Mahdawi, who was also detained but subsequently released, plans to attend, stating, "I plan to attend the graduation because it is a message. This is a message that education is hope, education is light, and there is no power in the world that should take that away from us."

The actions taken by New York colleges and universities reflect the delicate balancing act between upholding free speech, ensuring peaceful graduation ceremonies, and responding to external pressures regarding campus activism. As graduation season continues, the effectiveness and impact of these measures on student expression and the overall atmosphere of these significant events remain to be seen.