Universities take steps to prevent pro-Palestinian protest disruptions of graduation ceremonies
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — As student protests over the Israel-Hamas war disrupt campuses across the country, several major universities want to ensure that commencement ceremonies — joyful milestones for graduates, their families and friends — go off without a hitch this weekend.
It won’t be easy. Colleges are hiring additional security, screening visitors at sites and emphasizing that significant disruptions by pro-Palestinian protesters will not be tolerated. At the same time, they promise to respect the right to freedom of expression by designating protest zones.
“Milestone is a perfect word,” said Ken Burdick of Tampa, Florida, as he described his daughter’s graduation from the University of Michigan on Saturday. He hopes the big day will go off unaffected.
“People can exercise their First Amendment rights without disrupting or creating fear,” Burdick said of the protesters.
Here’s how some schools plan to balance things out:
More than 8,000 graduates – and 63,000 spectators – are expected for Saturday’s festivities at Michigan Stadium, known as The Big House. A security review will take place and disruptive demonstrators may be removed. Public safety officials and personnel who usually oversee large events, such as football games in the fall, will be in attendance. Author and historian Brad Meltzer is the keynote speaker.
In March, an annual event recognizing students with high academic achievement ended prematurely when pro-Palestinian demonstrators raised provocative signals and drowned out President Santa Ono’s comments by shouting: “You are financing genocide!” The university subsequently established a policy that could lead to the expulsion of students and dismissal of staff due to event disruptions, but this policy has not yet been finalized.
“It was painful for everyone gathered – and especially for members of our Jewish community,” Ono said two days later.
Protesters have set up dozens of tents on the Diag, a historic space for campus activism more than a mile away from the stadium. They demand that Michigan cut financial ties with companies linked to Israel. No attempts were made to break up the encampment and no arrests were made.
“We respect and uphold the principles of free speech, and also recognize that no one has the right to disrupt university activities,” Michigan Chief Academic Officer Laurie McCauley said in an email to students and staff about its inception.
Blake Richards, 25, is earning a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry. Richards plans to be at the football stadium Saturday after participating in a smaller ceremony for chemistry students on Thursday.
“It could take away and confuse some great feelings,” Richards said of any disruptions. ‘But to be honest, it doesn’t bother me. I know others have different opinions; I’m just happy to be here.”
The campus in Bloomington, Indiana, is designating protest zones outside Skjodt Assembly Hall and Memorial Stadium, where ceremonies will be held Friday for graduate students and Saturday for undergraduates. Nearly 10,000 students are eligible to participate.
A social media post circulating on Instagram urged protesters to wear “your keffiyeh along with your cap and gown” and walk outside during Saturday’s remarks by President Pamela Whitten.
About two dozen tents set up by protesters remained in place this week in an area known as Dunn Meadow, a mile from the stadium. According to the Indiana Daily Student, dozens of protesters were recently arrested there.
Maya Wasserman, a 22-year-old Jewish senior management member, said she and her family are uncomfortable with the prospect of pro-Palestinian protests disrupting their inception. She expressed particular concern for her mother and grandmother, who are Israeli.
“It’s a shame because we want this event to be about graduation, not about politics,” Wasserman said.
At Dunn Meadow, students worked on their final assignments in lawn chairs or on blankets. Jessica Missey, a protester and senior, said she boycotted final exams; some professors, she said, simply canceled them. She enjoyed the camaraderie at the encampment.
“Commencement is actually a little side step for me,” says Missey, 20.
A week after police arrested nearly 100 protesters at Northeastern University, the school will hold its commencement exercises for the fourth year in a row on Sunday at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox.
The location will help safety officials monitor crowds and limit what people can take with them. Signs, banners, balloons and large flags, as well as most bags, are prohibited in the stadium. Renata Nyul, vice president for communications, said public security staff will be strengthened.
Anyone entering Fenway must pass through metal detectors. About 50,000 graduates, family and friends are expected to attend.
Northeastern is one of many universities in the Boston area that have had pro-Palestinian camps. Some have allowed the protests to continue even though Northeastern’s camp was broken up.
“While we recognize that issues around the world give rise to passionate views, the focus this weekend should be on our graduates and their remarkable achievements,” Nyul said.
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Volmert reported from Bloomington, Indiana. Associated Press writer Steve LeBlanc in Boston contributed.