College Graduations Avoid Major Disruption as Tensions Abate

Some graduates topped their mortarboards with Palestinian flags and draped their shoulders with kaffiyehs, or held banners as they walked across the stage to shake hands with administrators and receive their diplomas. And some just walked out in protest at the start of speeches. But universities’ commencement ceremonies have largely occurred without significant disturbances in recent days, a welcome respite for schools whose springs semesters were marked by pro-Palestinian demonstrations and thousands of arrests.