• Columbia University President Claire Shipman was booed during the commencement ceremony.
• Protests were aimed at the detention of graduate Mahmoud Khalil by ICE.
• Shipman emphasized the need for free speech and condemned the treatment of international students.
• Graduates chanted “Free Mahmoud” during the ceremony, expressing solidarity.

During Columbia University's commencement ceremony on Wednesday, acting President Claire Shipman faced significant backlash as she delivered her address, greeted by a chorus of boos from the graduating class. The discontent stemmed primarily from the absence of Mahmoud Khalil, a student detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for his pro-Palestinian activism. Many graduates voiced their frustration with the administration's handling of Khalil's situation and the broader implications for students’ rights, reflecting on a tumultuous year that included campus lockdowns and protests, according to nytimes and thehill.

As she began speaking, Shipman acknowledged the graduates’ feelings, stating, “I know that many of you feel some amount of frustration with me.” Her remarks aimed to recognize the graduates’ right to express their concerns. Despite the rain and tumultuous atmosphere, she pushed on, expressing her belief in students’ rights to free speech, which sparked further jeers from the crowd. Graduates responded with chants of “Free Mahmoud,” demanding the release of Khalil and highlighting the emotional weight of his absence on the ceremony, as reported by thehill and huffpost.

Shipman emphasized that “we firmly believe that our international students have the same rights to freedom of speech as everyone else,” aiming to reframe the dialogue amidst the protests. She pointed to the distress felt by the community over Khalil’s detainment, stating, “Let me also say that I know many in our community today are mourning the absence of our graduate Mahmoud Khalil.” Khalil was taken into custody following his activism related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which had intensified national debates about freedom of expression and student rights at universities, according to nytimes and huffpost.

Throughout the ceremony, many students showcased their solidarity with Khalil by wearing Palestinian flags and chanting his name, indicating a strong union among the graduates over immigration issues and human rights concerns. Their actions signal a growing call for accountability from university administrations regarding student treatment and government policies on immigration affecting academic freedom. This collective stance against the administration's response is indicative of a broader discontent among students regarding their institution's handling of political and social issues, as noted by thehill and huffpost.