Following anti-Israel protests that erupted on its school and other campuses across the country, Columbia University announced on Monday that its undergraduate service had been canceled.
The announcement comes amid Israel’s battle against the Hamas extremist group.
According to NBC News, the school is set to “replace its college large commencement ceremony on May 15 with’ smaller- level, school- based celebrations.'”
RELATED:  , Insane! Columbia University Protesters Smash Windows, Barricade Themselves Inside Tower
Jessica Schwalb via Storyful
One national told the outlet that worries over safety were one of the major causes of the change of plans, and that school officials said they discussed the selection with student officials.
Come May 15, graduating ceremonies for the media school, college of physicians and doctors, Barnard College,  , and the school of arts will take place at various times at various locations, according to a plan released by Columbia. Next week’s events will also feature other school-based ceremonies.
Pro-Palestine protests started on campus on April 17 when students erupted around 50 tents and demanded that the university stop operating in Gaza.
7 MINUTES OF” Peaceful Protests” on the# Columbia University Campus.
This is just 7 minutes &, just on ONE campus. pic. twitter.com/sL81tO6sIH— MichaelRapaport ( @MichaelRapaport ) April 29, 2024
On Tuesday, New York City Police Department ( NYPD ) officers , initiated a raid on the school once the university restricted access after anti- Israel protesters occupied Hamilton Hall, according to Breitbart News.
” Prior to the takeover of Hamilton Hall, anti- Israel protesters were given a 2: 00 p. m. deadline on Monday of which to leave the encampment”, the outlet said.
RELATED:  , NYPD Clears Columbia University’s Hamilton Hall of Anti- Israel Occupiers
NYPD / BODY CAMS + /TMX
Minouche Shafik, president of Columbia University, later claimed the raid was a “violent act that put our students at risk, as well as putting the protesters at risk.” I walked through the building and saw the damage, which was distressing”:
A message from President Shafik. pic. twitter.com/zd8i2DE4wp
— Columbia University (@Columbia ) May 3, 2024
According to the NBC report, more than 100 people were arrested following the raid. Following commencement, Columbia has since requested that the NYPD remain on campus until a few days after.
According to Breitbart News, the Israel Defense Forces ( IDF) advised residents of Rafah to leave because” a long-delayed attack by Israel against the last Hamas strongholds appeared to be imminent.”