commencement

Small pro-Palestinian protests are popping up sporadically as colleges and universities hold commencement services. Among the demonstrations on Saturday were dozens of graduating students at Virginia Commonwealth University who walked out on Gov. Glenn Youngkin's address. While some of the estimated 100 students and family members who left during the Republican governor's speech showed support for Palestinians, others held signs signaling their opposition to Youngkin's education policies, according to WRIC-TV. At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a small group of demonstrators staged what appeared to be a silent protest during commencement ceremonies. A campus police spokesperson says no arrests were made. There were also protests in North Carolina and California.

Purdue University Northwest Chancellor Thomas L. Keon apologized for "offensive and insensitive" remarks he made onstage during a commencement ceremony.

Wake Forest University and Salem Academy and College have announced plans for in-person graduation ceremonies this spring. 

N.C. State University is the latest college to plan outdoor in-person graduation ceremonies this spring.

Many colleges have canceled December graduation ceremonies while continuing to host in-person events, like football games. One graduating senior says it feels like "a slap in the face."

Some applauded the president's speech at the historic black university as a break from "respectability politics" that demean African-Americans. Other saw it as more of the same.