Columbia University President Is Booed at Commencement Ceremony
For the second day in a row, Columbia University students critical of the administration delivered a chorus of boos toward the acting president, Claire Shipman, during her speech at the main commencement ceremony on Wednesday.
The atmosphere was tense as Shipman took the stage amidst loud jeers and booing from disgruntled graduates. Despite the disruptions, she continued with her speech, acknowledging the gifts that families had bestowed upon the university and urging graduates to share their talents with the world.
Addressing the nearly 16,000 graduates of the Columbia Class of 2025, Shipman praised them as the best of the university. However, her words were met with further resistance as students voiced their discontent over the treatment of international students on campus.
“We firmly believe that our international students have the same rights to freedom of speech as everyone else,” Shipman stated, prompting more boos from the audience. “They should not be targeted by the government for exercising that right.”
The tension peaked when Shipman mentioned the absence of graduate Mahmoud Khalil, leading to chants of “Free Mahmoud” from the crowd. The incident highlighted the ongoing student activism and pushback against university policies.
The contentious commencement ceremony underscored the deep-seated issues within the Columbia University community and the need for greater dialogue and understanding between students and administration.
As the event concluded, Shipman left the stage amidst a mix of applause and continued booing, leaving a lasting impression on all in attendance.
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