May 14, 2024
Thom Carroll/For PhillyVoice
Bryn Mawr College traditionally holds its commencement on Merion Green. Due to the pro-Palestine student protest happening there, graduation events now will be held to Applebee Field.
Bryn Mawr College is moving its commencement events from Merion Green due to the pro-Palestine encampment taking place there.
Instead, graduation ceremonies will be held at Applebee Field on the west end of the college's campus. University officials announced the change on Monday. They did not give a specific reason, saying only that Bryn Mawr is unable to host activities at Merion Green, its traditional commencement site. Students have been camping there for weeks in protest of the war in Gaza.
"Commencement is a time-honored tradition, allowing graduates and their loved ones the opportunity to celebrate the achievement of earning a Bryn Mawr College degree," President Kim Cassidy wrote in a letter to students and staff. "I believe that not observing these ceremonies would harm our campus community and the families and friends of graduates who are excitedly anticipating these events."
The change applies to the senior awards ceremony on Thursday and the graduate and undergraduate ceremonies on Friday and Saturday. Cassidy said graduates would receive more details Tuesday about the changes, including new safety protocols that will be put in place.
Students have occupied Merion Green since late April. They are demanding Bryn Mawr divest $5 million from Israeli tech companies and cal for a ceasefire in Gaza. The encampment is among dozens that have taken place on college campuses throughout the country.
On Friday, the University of Pennsylvania disbanded the pro-Palestine encampment that had been on College Green for more than two weeks. Police in riot gear cleared the site and made 33 arrests. Penn's commencement ceremony is scheduled for Monday, May 20, at Franklin Field.
"We reject this attempt by university administration to foster division and push student frustration onto our cause," a post from Penn encampment organizers said. "Students were able to freely access their buildings and participate in commencement events."
