Columbia U. grads tear up diplomas to protest school, Mahmoud Khalil arrest: ‘I’m not a proud alumni at all’

New York Post - Mar 30th, 2025
Open on New York Post

A protest at Columbia University saw graduates tearing up their diplomas to oppose the detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a former student and anti-Israel protest leader. The demonstration coincided with the university's Alumni Day, highlighting alumni dissatisfaction with the school's handling of Khalil's arrest by ICE and the leadership changes resulting from pressure by the Trump administration. Protesters voiced support for Khalil and the Palestinian cause, emphasizing discontent with recent university policies and leadership decisions.

The protest reflects deeper tensions at Columbia, exacerbated by the recent ousting of interim President Katrina Armstrong amid federal pressure to ban facial coverings at protests. These developments underscore a broader conflict between the university's administration and its community regarding free speech and institutional governance. Khalil's detention and potential deportation, linked to his alleged undisclosed connections to UNRWA, add a complex layer to the narrative, raising significant concerns about academic freedom and immigrant rights within the context of U.S. policies on anti-Semitism and international relations.

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RATING

5.2
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and engaging report on a protest by Columbia University graduates against the detention of Mahmoud Khalil, highlighting issues of academic freedom, student activism, and immigration policies. It presents a clear narrative with emotional quotes from participants, enhancing its readability and engagement. However, the story lacks balance and source quality, relying heavily on protester perspectives without sufficient input from the university or government officials. The absence of detailed explanations for some claims affects its transparency and accuracy. While the article addresses topics of public interest and has the potential to provoke debate, its impact is limited by the lack of diverse viewpoints and authoritative sources. Overall, the story effectively captures a significant event but would benefit from a more comprehensive and balanced approach to fully inform readers.

RATING DETAILS

6
Accuracy

The article reports on a protest by Columbia University graduates against the detention of Mahmoud Khalil, presenting several factual claims. It accurately describes the protest's occurrence during the Alumni Day celebration and the involvement of SIPA alumni, but some details require verification, such as the specific allegations against Khalil concerning his ties to UNRWA and Hamas. The article also mentions the Trump administration's demands on Columbia University, which need further corroboration. While the story provides a coherent narrative, the precision of certain claims, like the university's compliance with federal demands, is not fully supported by cited evidence.

5
Balance

The article primarily presents the perspective of the protesters, focusing on their grievances against Columbia University and the federal government. It includes quotes from protest participants and highlights their dissatisfaction with university leadership. However, it lacks balance by not providing the university's or the federal government's perspective, which would offer a more comprehensive view of the situation. The absence of official statements or responses from Columbia University or government representatives creates a potential bias towards the protesters' viewpoint.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, presenting a coherent narrative of the protest and its background. It provides a logical flow of information, detailing the events leading up to the protest and the participants' motivations. However, the article's clarity is somewhat hindered by the lack of detailed explanations of certain claims, such as the university's response to federal demands. While the language is accessible, the story could benefit from more precise explanations to enhance reader comprehension.

4
Source quality

The article relies heavily on quotes from protest participants and unnamed sources, such as a woman named Hannah and a current SIPA student named Sarryeh. It mentions an NBC News interview but does not provide a direct citation or link to this source. The lack of diverse and authoritative sources, such as official statements from Columbia University or government officials, affects the credibility and reliability of the information presented. The article would benefit from a broader range of sources to enhance its authority and impartiality.

4
Transparency

The article does not provide sufficient context or transparency regarding its sources and the basis for its claims. It lacks explicit attribution for several key pieces of information, such as the specific demands made by the Trump administration and the details of Khalil's alleged ties to UNRWA and Hamas. Additionally, the absence of a clear explanation of the methodology used to gather information or potential conflicts of interest limits the transparency of the reporting. Greater disclosure of sources and context would improve the article's transparency.

Sources

  1. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/columbia-university-alumni-rip-diplomas-protesting-for-mahmoud-khalil-ranjani-srinivasan-faces-maga-ire-theyre-tearing-photocopies/articleshow/119763753.cms
  2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKrYoXomGUU
  3. https://www.palestinechronicle.com/columbia-alumni-tear-diplomas-in-protest-over-detention-of-activist/
  4. https://hoodline.com/2025/03/columbia-university-alumni-tear-up-diplomas-in-protest-of-school-s-cooperation-with-trump-policies/