- Written by Bernd Debsmann Jr.
- BBC News, Washington
The next chapter in campus protests could soon begin, as universities across the country brace for possible disruption at graduation ceremonies.
Four universities rocked by pro-Palestinian protests will hold graduation ceremonies this weekend.
Many other universities, including Columbia University, have ceremonies planned for later this month and in June.
The university is stepping up security, while protesters are considering strikes and other possible actions.
Protesters set up camps and demonstrated on campus to demand that the university sever ties with Israel over the Gaza war.
Many universities called the police, and thousands of people were arrested in response.
Since protests began at Columbia University last month, demonstrations have taken place at about 140 educational institutions in 45 states and Washington, DC, according to a BBC tally.
Student protesters have so far remained largely silent about their plans to disrupt the graduation ceremony, known as Commencement Ceremony in the United States.
But at Indiana University, IU Divest and the Palestine Solidarity Committee (Indiana University's encampment has been cleared by police twice in recent weeks) are calling for a walkout at graduation.
“Make your pro-Palestinian position clear in the 'liberated areas' instead,” he wrote on Instagram, referring to a protest area on a college campus in Bloomington. “Wear your keffiyeh with your cap and gown and join us.”
The departure will take place as university president Pamela Witten begins her speech.
Witten faced a vote of no confidence in early April from faculty concerned about academic freedom after an exhibition by a Palestinian artist was canceled and a faculty member who sponsored a pro-Palestinian student group was suspended. faced with a vote.
Teachers are also discussing holding a “silent protest” outside the graduation ceremony to air their dissatisfaction without disrupting the event, two people familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity.
The University of Michigan, Ohio State University, and the University of Connecticut, which have experienced demonstrations over the past two weeks, will hold graduation ceremonies on May 4th and 5th.
University of Michigan officials announced plans for a designated protest area where the use of banners and flags will be prohibited and protesters will be subject to security screening.
The graduation ceremony will be overseen by volunteers who will “start with alarms and respond to disruptions,” according to the university's website.
Arifa Chaudhry of the protest group Tahrir Coalition declined to comment on whether the disruption was planned. She said the university “completely ignored” her offer to negotiate.
“It's no surprise that they have put strategies in place and trained staff to prevent protests from happening,” she said.
Nearly 200 miles (320 km) to the south, President Ted Carter of The Ohio State University said he wants to protect students' free speech rights while at the same time “intentionally preventing university events, classes, exams, or programs, including graduation ceremonies. He vowed to enforce rules prohibiting “disturbance.” ”.
Heba Latif, a Palestinian-American student and co-president of the school's chapter of Students for Justice Palestine (SJP), asked whether a protest was planned for the May 5th graduation ceremony. I didn't talk about it.
Columbia University's graduation ceremony is scheduled for May 15th. Police entered campus earlier this week to clear out student occupation and are expected to remain on campus throughout graduation season.
Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian student at Columbia University, told the BBC that the protests would continue regardless.
“Students have been protesting since October,” Khalil said.
“They received disciplinary notices, suspensions and probation from the university, but no one stopped them.
“I don't see how sending the police will stop this movement.”
Protesters in Colombia did not answer repeated questions about whether disruption was planned.