Graduating students from NYU’s Graduate School of Arts & Science (GSAS) have been told they cannot wear decorated caps, stoles, sashes, cords, or symbols at their upcoming convocation ceremonies. The university said the rule is being enforced due to “safety and security” concerns.
This decision, shared with students via email, comes amid a backdrop of recent pro-Palestinian protests during graduation ceremonies and is sparking major criticism about freedom of expression, especially from faculty and student leaders.
What’s the New Rule?
According to the email from GSAS administrators:
Graduating master’s and doctoral students must wear standard gowns, hoods, and caps or tams only
No decorated caps, flags, pins, or banners will be allowed
If any student tries to disrupt the ceremony or display signs or cultural items, they will be removed, and the event may be stopped
The message added,
“While we understand your pride in your nation of origin, your culture or your personal convictions, we are obligated to protect the safety and security of everyone attending.”
These rules are similar to those enforced at NYU Abu Dhabi last year, which faced backlash after a Ph.D. student was allegedly detained for waving a keffiyeh and shouting “Free Palestine.”
Backlash From Faculty and Students
A faculty member connected to the convocation committee told WSN (on condition of anonymity) that the GSAS Dean, Lynne Kiorpes, enforced the new policy without a team vote, calling it a “top-down dictatorial directive.”
The faculty member also said the policy could be a violation of student rights, particularly freedom of expression.
“There is a serious lack of leadership… The decision to suspend our civil rights and collectively punish everyone… is directly a function of anti-Palestinian racism,” they added.
The decision appears to have been influenced by last year’s protests, where students wore keffiyehs and carried signs during NYU’s all-university commencement at Yankee Stadium, prompting frustration from senior NYU leaders including President Linda Mills.
Universitywide Guidelines Say Peaceful Protest is “Typically Permitted”
Interestingly, NYU’s official graduation policy still states that peaceful protest like holding signs or wearing flags is “typically permitted,” as long as it doesn’t break the university’s Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment policy.
That same policy controversially includes the use of the word “Zionist” as possibly discriminatory — a point critics say limits open speech, especially in politically sensitive situations like the Israel-Palestine conflict.
The official guidelines also encourage commencement speakers to promote open discussion and freedom of thought, calling them “bedrock principles” of the university.
Student Leaders Also Speak Out
Isabella Angeles, a senator from the Graduate Student Council, also criticised the new rule. She said she’s unsure if she’ll be allowed to wear her student council stole, which is meant to recognise her leadership.
“How can a student wearing a stole or a country flag put someone in danger?” she asked.
“NYU is just trying to put a Band-Aid on something that they know is going to happen instead of addressing why students feel the need to protest.”
She also said the policy makes it harder for international students to proudly represent their cultural backgrounds, and sets a dangerous precedent.
