Ivy League Graduation Ceremonies Provide Insight into the League's Future Direction
Elite University Classes of 2025 Face Challenges Amidst Political and Social Tensions
The Class of 2025 at prestigious universities such as Columbia and Harvard have faced a unique set of challenges during their academic journey. These challenges, primarily revolving around campus tensions related to antisemitism, political controversies, and administrative decisions, have shaped their university experiences.
At Columbia University, the Class of 2025 encountered ongoing institutional instability due to the university's controversial settlement with the Trump administration. The settlement, worth $221 million, was a concession to right-wing allegations against higher education, including scrutiny of affirmative action policies. This deal also led to the establishment of a third-party monitoring system for antisemitism on campus. The university's administration took a hard line on campus protests, expelling and suspending over 70 student protesters against the Gaza War. This move was seen as a capitulation to federal pressure and drew backlash from the student body. At their commencement, students openly expressed their dissatisfaction by booing acting president Claire Shipman’s address, signaling deep unrest within the class regarding how the administration handled these issues.
At Harvard University, the Class of 2025 encountered a federal civil rights investigation triggered by allegations of antisemitism and discrimination. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights found that Harvard had violated civil rights law by failing to adequately respond to harassment against Jewish and Israeli students from October 2023 onwards. These issues intensified following the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks in Israel and the related conflicts, which sparked protests, counter-protests, and a prolonged pro-Palestinian encampment in Harvard Yard. Harvard also underwent administrative shifts, closing several diversity offices and reorganizing them into a new Office of Culture and Community. The administration publicly contested the government’s findings while asserting it had taken substantive steps to combat antisemitism and create an inclusive environment. However, these tensions affected the graduation environment and campus morale.
In summary, the Classes of 2025 at Columbia and Harvard grappled with external political pressures influencing campus governance, internal divisions over free speech and protest rights, and administrative actions that provoked student backlash during their commencement ceremonies and overall university experience.
Beyond these universities, the Class of 2025 graduated from high school during the first full year of the COVID-19 pandemic. This class, including those from elite universities, faced challenges such as virtual learning, political unrest, job market woes, and federal funding cuts. Moreover, the job market was starting to look wobbly under the pressure of AI and the possibility of a tariff-driven recession.
Despite these challenges, more than half of the graduates from Harvard College are going on to jobs in finance, technology, or consulting. The graduation ceremonies at both universities were largely free of disturbance after months of turmoil, with Harvard's ceremony receiving a minute-long standing ovation for Harvard's leading role in resisting the Trump administration's attack on higher education.
At Columbia's commencement, the crowd chanted "Free Mahmoud!", a reference to a detained graduate student and U.S. permanent resident. Harvard Kennedy School student Yurong "Luanna" Jiang cautioned her classmates about the growing intolerance towards people with different beliefs and urged them to resist it. Jodi Kantor, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, acknowledged that many graduates felt that their education had been one crisis after another and offered advice to drop the assumption that college experience dictates future outcomes.
Computer engineers have the third highest unemployment rate among recent graduates, with a majority of recent college graduates aged 22 to 27 either unemployed or underemployed, defined as "a college graduate working in a job that typically does not require a college degree". Despite these challenges, the resilience and determination of the Class of 2025 shone through during their commencement ceremonies, marking the end of a unique and challenging academic journey.
- The ongoing political tensions have led many Columbia University students to question the administration's handling of issues related to antisemitism and free speech.
- Amidst the tumultuous climate, art and style at elite universities such as Harvard and Columbia have taken a backseat, with politics becoming the primary focus for students.
- In the emerging job market, news about the potential impact of AI and tariffs have created uncertainty for the Class of 2025, with many graduates facing unemployment or underemployment.
- The Class of 2025 has demonstrated a strong sense of self-development and resilience, seeking education-and-self-development opportunities to navigate the challenging landscape of their post-graduation life.
