As a gesture to honor his constituents who are graduating from Columbia University this year, Long Island GOP Rep. Anthony D'Esposito is offering to host a separate ceremony after the Ivy League school made the "appalling" decision to cancel the 2024 commencement ceremony.
D'Esposito, a representative for parts of central and southern Nassau County, expressed to Columbia University President Minouche Shafik in a letter Wednesday that he wants to give students in his district "the graduation ceremony they deserve."
"For some, graduating from higher education is the pinnacle of their life thus far-an important milestone celebrated by family, friends, and loved ones," he said.
"These students have worked extremely hard, invested a tremendous amount of money, and succeeded in meeting requirements to proudly graduate.", the congressman continued, regarding the $89,000 annual tuition.
D'Esposito has demanded a complete list of all Columbia students from his Fourth Congressional District to enable his "work with community leaders and partners in government" in providing a platform for the graduates to receive their diplomas, as reported by The New York Post.
"Leadership at Columbia has failed these students," he added.
"We won't fail them as well."
The cancellation was heavily criticized, especially for Columbia's 2024 graduating class, as their high school graduations were also called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic just four years earlier.
Fabien Levy, spokesman for New York City Mayor Eric Adams, said in a Monday statement that the actions of a few, specifically those who are not affiliated with schools, continue to "highjack" events for students who have earned the right to walk across a stage and receive their diploma.
"It's infuriating that protestors are the ones now stealing this once-in-a-lifetime moment from students and their families," Levy added.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also told reporters, "It is unfortunate that a small group of people went too far and cost their classmates this important event."
Several Congress members continue to call for Shafik's resignation.
Following weeks of pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus, the university canceled its main commencement ceremony but still plans to move forward with smaller-scale graduations.
The protests over the Gaza war that have flooded campuses across the country have prompted school officials to reconsider commencement plans in order to protect students and attendees from any potential disputes.
