In contrast to the usual celebrations of Alumni Day, several graduates of Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs tore up their diplomas this Saturday. The protest followed the school's alignment with Trump administration policies, which the demonstrators believe affect their peers and the institution’s principles. The act of tearing the diplomas was both a personal gesture and a form of protest against the administrative decisions, as reported by ABC7NY.
The protest, organized by SIPA Alumni for Palestine, centered around the recent detention of Mahmoud Khalil—a green card holder and Palestinian activist—by ICE agents. Speaking to NBC News, 2009 SIPA graduate Amali Tower conveyed the weight of the decision to destroy her educational accolade: "It's not easy to do this, with none of us doing this lightly. There's no joy in this." Tower added, "I want to stand with Palestinians, and I want to stand with immigrants who are being rounded up and harassed, oppressed and deported as we speak," reflecting the protesters' wider opposition to immigration policies they consider oppressive.
Columbia University has yet to issue a response to the protest that saw alumni and students chanting "Free Palestine" and "Free Mahmoud Khalil," as per NBC News. The actions of these former students reflect frustration with both the Trump administration's immigration policies and the perceived role of their alma mater in supporting these measures.
The recent administrative changes at Columbia University have intensified the discontent among the protesters. After reaching an agreement with the Trump administration to restore $400 million in federal funding, Interim President Katrina Armstrong resigned, and Board of Trustees Co-chair Claire Shipman assumed the role of acting president. In a statement obtained by ABC7NY, the board announced the appointment "effective immediately, and will serve until the Board completes its presidential search."
Some alumni, including one identified only as Hannah due to safety concerns, are skeptical of the changes, telling NBC News, "It's another figurehead that the Board of Trustees is going to use to do their bidding."
Adding to the disturbance running through Columbia's campus, the situation of Khalil, who is reportedly detained in a Louisiana facility, has raised questions about the university's standing as a supporter of free speech and academic freedom. Jasmine Sarryeh, a current SIPA student and friend of Khalil, expressed her fear and dissatisfaction to NBC News: "Students are terrified to set foot on campus. I'm one of them, so just the fact that I'm here is scary because the way that our colleagues have disappeared." Her stance highlights the broader reach of the protest, which includes calls for justice not only for Khalil but also for the protection of values that are central to the institution's legacy.
