Columbia University president Minouche Shafik will skip the biggest ceremony for graduating seniors on campus next week following weeks of division over anti-Israel protests that ended with two NYPD crackdown on campus.
A note that went out to student at Columbia College — which is attended by more than half of the university’s undergraduate students — indicated that Shafik would not appear at “Class Day.”
The Class Day celebrations typically feature student and keynote speakers, and are a chance for graduates to walk across the stage and shake hands with the dean and university president before they are formally conferred their degrees.
Class Day is also a major opportunity for friends and family members to celebrate the completion of studies at the $90,000-per-year university.
Shafik’s absence at the May 14 event was quietly announced via an addendum to a Class Day information email that was sent to students, Columbia senior Irie Sentner first reported.
Columbia University’s graduation ceremonies and class days are scheduled for next week. valeriyap – stock.adobe.com
“Program Adjustment: President Shafik will not be in attendance at Columbia College’s Class Day ceremony. Please note: this change is not reflected in printed programs,” the note read, according