Four years ago, seniors across the country missed out on graduation ceremonies due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, seniors at Columbia University and the University of Southern California are once again facing disappointment as traditional commencement experiences are being canceled, this time due to what some see as cowardice from the authorities.
Columbia and USC have both decided to cancel their 2024 commencement ceremonies, citing disruptions on campus caused by anti-Israel protests as the reason. This news is particularly cruel for the class of 2024, who also missed out on high school graduation in 2020 and are now facing the same fate in college.
Instead of canceling the ceremonies, these universities could have taken steps to ensure security and allow students to celebrate their achievements. While there may have been some disruptions, it is possible to manage these situations and still hold the ceremonies. By choosing to cancel, Columbia and USC are seen as bowing to mob tactics rather than supporting their students.
It is a missed opportunity for these students, who will now be the only class to miss out on both their high school and college graduation ceremonies. The class of 2020 at least deserved the chance to celebrate their achievements, and it is disappointing that the class of 2024 will not have the same opportunity.
