Columbia University acting President Claire Shipman was booed on stage as she addressed the class of 2025 during a graduation ceremony on Tuesday. Students chanted “Free Mahmoud!” in support of Mahmoud Khalil, a student and pro-Palestine protest leader who has been detained since March.
Shipman addressed students as she took the stage during the 2025 graduation ceremony on Tuesday morning.
What happened at Columbia University’s Class of 2025 graduation ceremony?
“Good morning, Class of 2025. I know that many of you feel some amount of frustration with me, and I know you feel it with the administration,” she said, according to NBC News.
“And I know that we have a strong, strong tradition of free speech at this university. And I am always open to feedback, which I am getting right now,” Shipman added as students started booing her.
About 10 minutes into her speech, the crowd started chanting “Free Mahmoud!” Shipman reportedly paused her speech but didn’t further address the heckling.
Why did students boo Columbia University’s acting President?
The incident comes after Columbia University has been cracking down on pro-Palestine protests on campus. Some students have been criticizing the institution’s compliance with the Trump administration’s efforts to arrest and detain foreign students who participated in these protests. They say the school allowed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers on campus.
Tuesday’s chants expressed support for Khalil, a Syrian graduate student and green card holder. He was arrested by ICE in March 2025 and is currently being detained in Louisiana, awaiting potential deportation
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