Harvard University’s commencement ceremony took an unexpected turn on Thursday when hundreds of graduates staged a walkout in protest against the decision by the Harvard Corporation to withhold degrees from 13 seniors who participated in a pro-Palestinian encampment in Harvard Yard. The walkout occurred while Interim President Alan Garber was conferring degrees, and the participating students, dressed in caps and gowns, carried signs and Palestinian flags while chanting their support for a ceasefire and a free Palestine.
The walkout was a response to the university’s last-minute decision to prohibit graduating seniors from receiving their diplomas. The Harvard Corporation, the governing body of the university, overruled a vote from faculty members who had recommended granting degrees to the additional group of seniors involved in the pro-Palestinian encampment. Although these students were allowed to participate in the commencement ceremony, their diplomas were withheld for the time being.
The Harvard Corporation justified its decision by stating that the faculty vote did not revisit the disciplinary rulings against the students or engage in an individualized assessment of each case. The corporation emphasized that it respected each faculty’s responsibility to determine appropriate discipline for its students. However, it did not claim to restore the students to good standing, which was necessary for them to receive their degrees.
The pro-Palestinian encampment at Harvard was part of a larger movement of demonstrations taking place on campuses across the country. These protests aimed to pressure universities and colleges to divest from companies doing business with Israel. While clashes between demonstrators and counter-protesters were reported in other locations, Harvard managed to avoid such conflicts. Nevertheless, university officials expressed their disapproval of the demonstration and warned that there would be consequences for the participants.
The decision to withhold degrees from the involved seniors has sparked further controversy and criticism. Supporters of the student demonstrators argue that it violated an agreement between university officials and protest organizers to end the encampment. According to the Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine coalition, this decision demonstrates the illegitimacy of the Harvard Corporation and its president, Alan Garber. They believe that this action will have significant repercussions for the university’s reputation and governance in the future.
The commencement walkout and subsequent events are the latest instances of tension within the Harvard community. Throughout the school year, protests, criticism, and concerns about discrimination and hate have arisen following an attack on Israel by Hamas. The resignation of Harvard President Claudine Gay in January due to allegations of plagiarism and backlash over her testimony on antisemitism also contributed to the challenging atmosphere on campus. Garber, who took over as interim president, will continue in this role while Harvard searches for a permanent replacement.
In his opening remarks at the commencement ceremony, President Garber acknowledged that some attendees might choose to express themselves in response to ongoing events. He emphasized their right to do so but also urged them to consider the community and the occasion. He acknowledged the existence of fear, grief, and suffering in the wider world and called for a minute of silence to honor those experiencing such hardships.
The walkout and protests during Harvard’s commencement ceremony highlight the deep divisions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the challenges universities face in navigating free speech and political activism on campus. As these tensions continue to reverberate throughout the academic community, it remains to be seen how universities will address these complex issues while upholding their commitment to inclusivity and diverse perspectives.
