Columbia acting president defends academic freedom at relatively quiet commencement

Facing a chorus of boos along with some occasional cheers, acting Columbia University President Claire Shipman presided over commencement Wednesday morning, capping another turbulent year for a university in crisis and in the Trump administration's crosshairs.

Shipman made some of her most pointed critiques yet of the Trump administration with calls to protect international students, preserve free speech and fight for democracy. The event was largely peaceful in comparison to the drama that has swirled around the university over the past two years.

She warned that attacks on institutions of learning are tantamount to attacks on American democracy.

“Nothing is more foundational to democracy, to American strength, than freedom of thought, the training of minds, and the unfettered creation and exploration of knowledge,” she said.

Last spring, Columbia canceled its university-wide commencement following the pro-Palestinian protests and encampment that roiled campus last year. But this year’s graduation comes amid new challenges: the Trump administration slashed some $400 million in funding for the university in February, accusing it of failing to address antisemitism. Columbia agreed to some of the administration's demands, hoping to restore the funds, but negotiations are ongoing and the university has laid off 180 employees so far due to the cuts. Shipman recently called police when pro-Palestinian protesters forced their way into Butler Library and occupied a room during the study period leading up to finals.

Under gray skies and rain, Shipman — who was appointed acting president in March and became the third person to serve in the role in a year — invoked her experience reporting on the Soviet Union in the period leading up to the fall of the Berlin Wall and immediately after.

“Democracy, it turns out, is work to build and maintain,” she said. “Our norms and our systems cannot be taken for granted.”

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She added “international students have the same rights to freedom of speech as everyone else, and they should not be targeted by the government for exercising that right…many in our community today are mourning the absence of our graduate Mahmoud Khalil,” who is still being detained by federal immigration authorities for his participation in pro-Palestinian protests last year.

Khalil graduated from the School of International and Public Affairs in the winter, and many of his classmates walked out of the quad as their program was called.

“There’s been a lot of discontent with the administration’s handling of Mahmoud Khalil’s case and just in general international students’ safety on campus so, a lot of students, we had a show of protest by walking out,” said SIPA graduate Kayla Bouazouni. She called Shipman’s speech “performative.”

“A lot of the things she said did not match up with what we’ve lived on campus,” she said.

Many students and staff have also railed against university leaders for “bowing” to some of the Trump administration’s demands, including agreeing to some changes to campus policing and oversight of the Middle Eastern, South Asian and African Studies department.

The NYPD said officers responded to a small protest of alumni outside Columbia’s gates Wednesday morning and detained two people. Protestors said they would be destroying their diplomas to protest the university's actions in recent months.

Lorenzo Giamartino, who graduated from the college with a degree in data science, said he appreciated Shipman’s approach and would have preferred less disruption from fellow graduates.

“I think it would be nice if people would put aside their own political opinions for all of us to come together and enjoy our celebration,” he said.

Each school within the university also held their own graduations earlier this week. A Columbia University student-activist who was recently released from immigration detention collected his degree earlier this week at his program’s graduation ceremony. Mohsen Mahdawi flashed peace signs as he crossed the stage and received his bachelor's degree in philosophy.

“President Trump has accused me and his cabinet accused me of of antisemitism and being a threat to national security or to foreign policy,” he said to loud applause from his classmates. “Their attempts to smear me and to tarnish my name has no place here.”

Mahdawi is a green card holder who grew up in the West Bank. The Trump administration detained him on April 14, citing his pro-Palestinian activism.

A federal judge ordered Mahdawi's release 16 days later, saying he was not a flight risk or a threat to community safety.

Arya Sundaram contributed reporting.

This story has been updated with additional information.