Columbia Ends Year of Protest With Smaller Commencement Ceremonies

The first graduate to walk across the stage, the valedictorian of Columbia College, wore a kaffiyeh tightly wrapped around her shoulders and held up a sign: DIVEST. Another graduate turned around to show a blue gown painted with stark black letters: DIVEST FROM GENOCIDE. For several hours Tuesday, there were countless references to Columbia University’s divided, difficult year, including from speakers at the undergraduates’ Class Day ceremony. It was held at the school’s athletic complex far north of Columbia’s Morningside campus. Embattled president Minouche Shafik did not appear at this or other Class Day ceremonies in recent days.