Columbia alumnis foolish diploma shredding: Letters to the Editor April 2, 2025
The Issue: Columbia University alumni ripping their diplomas in protest of Mahmoud Khalil’s arrest.The activists who shredded their diplomas at Columbia University are more concerned with activism than education (“Shred of the class,” March 31).The photo clearly identifies who they are and Columbia should refuse to issue duplicates.Using the university to demonstrate instead of educate should have consequences.Mel YoungBoca Raton, Fla.Even if protesters are more like terrorists, as we continue to see on college campuses and in Tesla dealerships, these alumni will claim freedom of speech despite acts of violence.
Yet in Gaza this weekend, citizens protesting against Hamas resulted in the brutal killing of many innocent protesters.The left can no longer tell right from wrong.What a distorted view they have of the world.Larry HootnickWatermillIt’s interesting that at Columbia Alumni Day a number of protesters tore up their diplomas to object to the university administration’s decision to reach a deal with President Trump over civil-rights violations and to protest the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil.Does anybody really care if they tear up their diplomas? The only person who might is a future employer who wants to see a copy.
Thus, they hurt nobody but themselves.Violence, intimidation, rioting and destruction of property are not acts of free speech.Protest all you want in an appropriate manner — but that’s not what happened at Columbia and most campuses around this country.Mindy RaderNew CityMy suggestion to all the brilliant Columbia University graduates who are ripping up the diplomas they worked so diligently for is to not do that.Instead, when your idol Mahmoud Khalil is sent back to the country of his birth, show your support by purchasing a plane ticket to join him.Herbert MordkoffRockaway, NJThis is the funniest protest ever.
These alumni who paid thousands to attend Columbia University are so angry that they’ve trashed their diplomas.Chances are, t...