People who disrupt UW-Madison commencement could face suspension or even arrest

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is warning of disciplinary action and even arrest for people who disrupt its commencement ceremony this weekend.

The notice comes as campuses nationwide are roiled by protests over the Israel-Hamas war. Ceremonies at two other Big Ten schools last weekend were marked by pro-Palestinian protests. A few schools, including Columbia University, have canceled the event altogether.

UW-Madison doctoral and medical students graduate Friday at the Kohl Center. Undergraduates, master's and law students have their event at Camp Randall on Saturday. Altogether, UW-Madison anticipates nearly 8,600 students will be earning degrees.

A new disclaimer on the UW-Madison commencement website reads: "Disruption of university events, including graduation activities, violates state law and will not be tolerated."

"Considering recent events on our campus and on campuses around the country, we are attempting to set clear expectations for graduates and guests at commencement," UW-Madison spokesperson Kelly Tyrrell said.

Here's what to know:

Suspension, arrest on the table for commencement protesters

The notice says that, at a minimum, UW-Madison will recommend suspension for students and current graduates who disrupt commencement. The university will also place holds on degrees, registration and official university records.

Nonacademic suspensions last up to two years but only appear on a student's transcript during the suspension. Suspended students cannot be on campus during the suspension but can later re-enroll.

Students and non-students who engage in disruption "also risk arrest, citation, and criminal charges," the website said.

New security measures in place

UW-Madison declined to share details on its security plans but acknowledged its plans have been modified to increase public safety and reduce the likelihood of disruption. Nothing related to the ceremony program has changed, Tyrrell said. New safety measures include:

• Metal detectors, which are new for the Camp Randall ceremony but not the Kohl Center.

• Attendees are allowed one small clutch or a clear tote bag.

• All items and attendees are subject to search. Graduates will be asked to open their gowns for inspection as they enter.

Signs, noisemakers, flags and banners are banned, but the restrictions are nothing new. The items were prohibited in previous years, too.

"These modifications will change how people usually experience commencement but will be very familiar to anyone who has attended a home Badger football game," Tyrrell said.

Protesters mum on plans

It's unclear whether protesters who pitched tents on the Library Mall are making plans to disrupt the UW-Madison ceremonies. Organizers did not respond to questions sent by text message and Instagram.

At UW-Milwaukee, commencement is scheduled for May 19 at the UWM Panther Arena. Protester Kayla Patterson said a decision on whether to disrupt the event depends on the status of negotiation meetings.

"I can't really say specifically if we will or not, but it's not off the table," she said.

Class of 2024 includes many COVID-19 era high school grads

The class of 2024 graduated from high school in spring 2020. Most high school students that spring saw their ceremonies canceled or significantly curtailed because of the pandemic. Their freshman year of college was also severely disrupted.

The missed milestones has many students hoping for the traditional ceremony this time around.

A group of Jewish students requested UW-Madison ensure commencement go on as planned and discipline disrupters, according to a document shared with the Journal Sentinel. It was one of several demands made by the group, which reported feeling intimidated and harassed by pro-Palestinian protesters on or near the encampment.

Protests disrupted a few other university commencements

At the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, some graduates interrupted the ceremony with chants, Palestinian flags and banners.

At Indiana University, a group staged a walkout during the president's speech and a "LET GAZA LIVE!" banner flew overhead.

Contact Kelly Meyerhofer at kmeyerhofer@gannett.com or 414-223-5168. Follow her on X (Twitter) at @KellyMeyerhofer.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: University of Wisconsin warns people who disrupt graduation face punishment