NEW YORK (TND) — Columbia University announced it is canceling its commencement ceremonies as pro-Palestinian protests continue.

The university-wide ceremony was scheduled for May 15.

The decision comes after weeks of protests on campus that escalated and feedback from student leaders, according to school officials.

Classes for college students have been disrupted as anti-Israel protesters chanted and took over a building on campus.

Our students emphasized that these smaller-scale, school-based celebrations are most meaningful to them and their families. They are eager to cross the stage to applause and family pride and hear from their school’s invited guest speakers," the university said Monday. "As a result, we will focus our resources on those school ceremonies and on keeping them safe, respectful, and running smoothly. A great deal of effort is already underway to reach that goal, and we understand the Deans and school teams are looking forward to working with their students to incorporate the most creative and meaningful ideas to celebrate this extraordinary moment.

Most of the ceremonies that had been scheduled for the south lawn of the main campus, where encampments were taken down last week, will take place about 5 miles north at Columbia's sports complex, officials said.

Encampments have erupted at universities around the country as schools struggle with where to draw the line between allowing free expression while maintaining safe and inclusive campuses.

The University of Southern California canceled its main graduation ceremony earlier while allowing other commencement activities to continue.

See the full revised schedule below. Tickets are still required.

Friday, May 10

  • 8:30 a.m. – Professional Studies, Morning Ceremony | Baker Athletics Complex
  • 12:30 p.m. – Professional Studies, Afternoon Ceremony | Baker Athletics Complex
  • 4:30 p.m. – Social Work | Baker Athletics Complex
  • 5:30 p.m. – Columbia Climate School | The Forum

Saturday, May 11

  • 8:00 a.m. – Business School, EMBA & PhD Candidates | Baker Athletics Complex
  • 11:30 a.m. – Business School, MBA | Baker Athletics Complex
  • Architecture, Planning and Preservation | St. Paul’s Chapel
  • Your school will communicate the time and further details

Sunday, May 12

  • 8:00 a.m. – Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, PhD | Baker Athletics Complex
  • 10:00 a.m. – Baccalaureate Service | St. Paul’s Chapel
  • 11:00 a.m. – Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, MA | Baker Athletics Complex
  • 3:00 p.m. – The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, Graduate Ceremony | Baker Athletics Complex

Monday, May 13

  • 8:00 a.m. – Columbia School of General Studies | Baker Athletics Complex
  • 11:45 a.m. – The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, Undergraduate Ceremony | Baker Athletics Complex
  • 3:30 p.m. – Law School | Baker Athletics Complex
  • 7:30 p.m. – International and Public Affairs | Baker Athletics Complex

Tuesday, May 14

  • 9:30 a.m. – Columbia College | Baker Athletics Complex
  • 10:00 a.m. – School of Nursing | The Armory
  • 10:00 a.m. – Physical Therapy | Alumni Auditorium, CUIMC
  • 3:30 p.m. – Genetic Counseling | VEC 201, CUIMC
  • 4:00 p.m. – Mailman School of Public Health | The Armory
  • 5:00 p.m. – Business School, MS | David Geffen Hall, Manhattanville Campus
  • Teachers College | United Palace Theatre
  • Varying times

Wednesday, May 15

  • 12:00 p.m. – Journalism School | Roone Arledge Auditorium, Lerner Hall
  • 2:00 p.m. – Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons | The Armory
  • 4:00 p.m. – Barnard College | Radio City Music Hall
  • 7:00 p.m. – School of the Arts | Roone Arledge Auditorium, Lerner Hall
  • Teachers College | United Palace Theatre
  • Varying times

Thursday, May 16

  • 10:00 a.m. – Occupational Therapy | Alumni Auditorium, CUIMC
  • 10:30 a.m. – Dental Medicine, Predoctoral | The Armory
  • 2:00 p.m. – Institute of Human Nutrition | Alumni Auditorium, CUIMC
  • 4:00 p.m. – Dental Medicine, Postdoctoral | The Armory

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