Sarah Lawrence College Commencement Draws Thin Applause After Political Statement

Sarah Lawrence College held its commencement ceremony this spring. Graduates stood and left quietly after the president closed the event. The response lacked the cheers and cap-tossing that had marked prior years. Faculty members who attended described the atmosphere as flat.

Security personnel and cameras were visible on the grounds. The setting suggested an effort to manage the event rather than celebrate it. ' President Cristle Collins Judd remained seated on the platform and did not address the statement.

The same president had previously sat beside Ezra Klein during a January campus event when he was interrupted. Internal emails showed she agreed with a dean that concerns from the local Hillel director about Jewish students were alarmist, according to a House Committee on Education and the Workforce report.

Similar incidents have occurred at other institutions. At the University of Michigan, the Faculty Senate chairman used commencement remarks to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. At New York University, student leaders published criticism of faculty member Jonathan Haidt ahead of his address.

Commencement serves as a civic ritual recognizing academic completion and transition. When norms are not applied consistently, participants may remain vigilant rather than relaxed, the account stated. The writer has attended Sarah Lawrence ceremonies for nearly 20 years.