With student protests over the Israel-Hamas war disrupting campuses nationwide, several major universities are intent on ensuring that commencement ceremonies \u2013 joyous milestones for graduates, their families and friends \u2013 go off without a hitch this weekend. It won\u2019t be easy. Colleges are hiring extra security, screening attendees at venues and emphasising that significant disruptions by pro-Palestinian protesters won\u2019t be tolerated. At the same time, they\u2019re pledging to honour free-speech rights by designating protest zones.<\/p>\n
\u201cMilestone is a perfect word,\u201d said Ken Burdick of Tampa, Florida, describing his daughter\u2019s graduation Saturday at the University of Michigan. He hopes the big day goes untarnished. \u201cPeople can exercise their First Amendment rights without disrupting or creating fear,\u201d Burdick said of protesters. Here\u2019s how some schools are planning to balance things:<\/p>\n
More than 8,000 graduates \u2013 and 63,000 spectators \u2013 are expected for Saturday\u2019s festivities inside Michigan Stadium, known as The Big House. There will be security screening, and disruptive protesters could be subject to removal. Public safety officers and staff who commonly monitor major events, such as fall football games, will be present. Author and historian Brad Meltzer is the featured speaker.<\/p>\n
In March, an annual event recognising students with high academic achievement ended early when pro-Palestinian protesters raised provocative signs and drowned out remarks by President Santa Ono, yelling, \u201cYou are funding genocide!\u201d The university subsequently drafted a policy that could lead to student expulsions and staff dismissals for event disruptions, though it hasn\u2019t been finalised.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was painful for everyone who had gathered \u2013 and especially so for members of our Jewish community,\u201d Ono said two days later. Protesters have erected dozens of tents on the Diag, a historic space for campus activism more than a mile away from the stadium. They\u2019re demanding that Michigan cut financial ties with companies connected to Israel. There has been no effort to break up the encampment and no arrests.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe respect and uphold the principles of free expression, and also recognize that no one is entitled to disrupt university activities,\u201d Laurie McCauley, Michigan\u2019s chief academic officer, said in an email to students and staff about commencement. Blake Richards, 25, is earning a bachelor\u2019s degree in biochemistry. Richards plans to be at the football stadium on Saturday after participating in a smaller ceremony Thursday for chemistry students.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt could take away some great feelings, muddle them,\u201d Richards said of any disruptions. \u201cBut truth be told, I\u2019m not bothered. I know others have different opinions; I\u2019m just happy to be here.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Bloomington, Indiana, campus is designating protest zones outside Skjodt Assembly Hall and Memorial Stadium, where ceremonies will be held on Friday for graduate students and Saturday for undergraduates. Nearly 10,000 students are eligible to attend. A social media post circulating on Instagram urged protesters to wear \u201cyour keffiyeh along with your cap and gown\u201d and walk out during Saturday\u2019s remarks by President Pamela Whitten.<\/p>\n
Roughly 20 tents set up by protesters remained in place this week in an area known as Dunn Meadow, a mile from the stadium. Dozens of protesters have been arrested there recently, according to the Indiana Daily Student. Maya Wasserman, a 22-year-old senior in management who is Jewish, said she and her family feel uncomfortable about the prospect of pro-Palestinian protests disrupting commencement. She expressed special concern for her mother and grandmother, who are Israeli.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s unfortunate because we want this event to be about graduating, not politics,\u201d Wasserman said. At Dunn Meadow, students in lawn chairs or on blankets worked on their final assignments. Jessica Missey, a protester and senior, said she boycotted final exams; some professors, she said, simply cancelled them. She has enjoyed the camaraderie at the encampment. \u201cCommencement is kind of just taking almost a little sidestep for me,\u201d Missey, 20, said.<\/p>\n
A week after police arrested nearly 100 protesters at Northeastern University, the school is holding its commencement exercises Sunday at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, for the fourth consecutive year. The venue will help security officials monitor the crowd and limit what people can bring. Signs, banners, balloons and full-size flags are prohibited in the stadium, along with most bags. Renata Nyul, vice president for communications, said public safety staffing will be strengthened.<\/p>\n
All those entering Fenway will need to pass through metal detectors. About 50,000 graduates, family and friends are expected. Northeastern is one of several universities in the Boston area that have had pro-Palestinian encampments. Some have let the protests continue, though Northeastern\u2019s camp was broken up. \u201cWhile we realise that issues in the world prompt passionate viewpoints, the focus this weekend should be on our graduates and their remarkable achievements,\u201d Nyul said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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