Several major universities are facing disruptions and protests over the Israel-Hamas war at their commencement ceremonies this weekend. To ensure that the events go off smoothly, colleges are hiring extra security, screening attendees, and designating protest zones. At the University of Utah, protesters booed and yelled “free Palestine” during the president’s speech, leading to one arrest. Schools like the University of Michigan and Indiana University are taking steps to balance free speech rights with maintaining order at their ceremonies.
At the University of Michigan, where over 8,000 graduates and 63,000 spectators are expected, security screening will be in place and disruptive protesters could face removal. An incident in March involving anti-Israel protesters led to the development of a policy that could result in student expulsions and staff dismissals for event disruptions. Protesters have set up tents on campus demanding that the university cut ties with companies connected to Israel. The emphasis is being placed on upholding free expression while also preventing disruptions.
Indiana University is designating protest zones outside their venues for ceremonies, where nearly 10,000 students are eligible to attend. Protesters have set up tents near the campus, with social media posts encouraging a walkout during the president’s remarks. A student expressed concern about anti-Israel protests making the event about politics rather than graduation. Despite the disruptions, some students have found a sense of camaraderie in the protests, taking a different perspective on the significance of commencement.
Northeastern University, where nearly 100 protesters were arrested recently, is holding their commencement exercises at Fenway Park with strengthened security measures. The venue will help monitor the crowd and limit items that can be brought in, with metal detectors at the entrances. The focus is on celebrating the graduates’ achievements rather than the ongoing issues prompting the protests. Some universities in the Boston area have allowed anti-Israel encampments to continue, though Northeastern broke up their camp.
Student protests over the Israel-Hamas war have disrupted campuses nationwide, leading to extra security measures and designated protest areas at commencement ceremonies. The aim is to ensure that the events proceed smoothly while upholding free speech rights. While disruptions have occurred at some ceremonies, schools are working to balance the expression of diverse viewpoints with the need to maintain order. Despite concerns about potential disruptions, some students have found a sense of community and camaraderie in the protests on campus.
