Across the U.S., colleges are canceling long-standing cultural and identity-based graduation ceremonies due to mounting political pressure — but students are stepping up to keep the traditions alive off campus.

Harvard Cancels Black Graduation, Students Push Forward

At Harvard University, Elyse Martin-Smith had been planning a celebration of Black culture since last summer. The student-led Black graduation was set to include music, poetry, and a keynote speech from 1619 Project creator Nikole Hannah-Jones.

The event was scheduled for the Harvard Memorial Church, but just weeks before commencement, Martin-Smith said she was told by university officials it could no longer be held on campus. The cancellation followed the university’s decision to rename its DEI office and withdraw funding for all affinity group commencements, a move announced in April after the Trump administration froze $2.2 billion in federal funds over the school’s refusal to comply with new policy demands.

“This isn’t the first time the university has catered to PR concerns over student needs,” Martin-Smith said. Still, she wasn’t deterred. With support from Harvard’s Black Graduate Student Alliance and Black Alumni Society, she secured an off-campus venue. The event, still featuring the original program, will take place May 27.

“It’s an undue burden we keep facing — having to fight just to celebrate our own culture,” she added.

Affinity Graduations Under Threat Nationwide

Harvard is not alone. Several universities are backing away from support for affinity graduations — celebrations traditionally held to honor the achievements of marginalized student groups, including Black, Hispanic, LGBTQ+, first-gen, and Asian students. Though optional and separate from main commencements, these ceremonies have become meaningful platforms to recognize identity, culture, and heritage.

The trend comes as former President Donald Trump and other conservative leaders campaign aggressively against DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) efforts, labeling them discriminatory and threatening schools with cuts to federal funding and accreditation.

At the University of Kentucky, for instance, all identity-based graduation events were scrapped earlier this year.

“Due to changes in federal and state policy, the university will no longer host special-interest or identity-based graduations,” a university spokesperson stated.

‘Senior Salute’ Fills the Gap in Kentucky

Kristopher Washington, a University of Kentucky graduate and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity member, didn’t let the school’s decision end his celebration. Working with his fraternity brothers, Washington organized an off-campus event called “Senior Salute” at the Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center.

The inclusive ceremony encouraged graduates to wear symbols of their identity and background.

“It’s about showing that people from different places and struggles are still making it to the finish line,” Washington said. “That’s worth celebrating.”

A Deeper Cultural Meaning

Dr. Antar Tichavakunda, an assistant professor at UC Santa Barbara and author of Black Campus Life, emphasized the importance of these events in giving students a sense of pride and cultural affirmation.

“Most traditional commencement rituals have European origins,” he explained. “Black graduations, for example, often include West African drumming, speakers who understand the Black experience, and celebrations that reflect our heritage.”

“Being able to celebrate in a space where we’re not policed — where our music, language, and culture are welcomed — makes the moment even more meaningful,” he said.

LGBTQ+ Graduations Also Under Fire

The LGBTQ+ community has also felt the impact. Lavender Graduations, which honor queer graduates, are being shut down in states with new anti-DEI laws.

In Utah, Governor Spencer Cox signed legislation last year banning DEI programs in education and government. As a result, many universities have shuttered identity resource centers and ended support for Lavender Graduations.

Jacey Thornton, executive director of Project Rainbow Utah and a recent graduate of Weber State University, stepped in to help. Her organization supported a community celebration for LGBTQ+ students at a local church, complete with pride flags, rainbow tassels, and lavender stoles. Students from multiple colleges in Utah attended.

“It’s not just about the degree,” Thornton said. “It’s about honoring the journey — especially for those of us who’ve lost family or faced rejection along the way. These gatherings help us form a chosen family.”

Looking Ahead: Students Get Creative

With official support fading, students are finding new ways to celebrate their identities.

Tichavakunda believes this could mark a shift in how students choose colleges. “Schools that don’t support these traditions may lose students to institutions that do — especially HBCUs,” he said.

But he’s also optimistic: “This won’t be the end of cultural graduations. Students will continue to find creative ways to keep them alive — even without university backing.”

Source: CNN – Colleges are canceling affinity graduations due to anti-DEI policies. Here is how students are preserving the traditions

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The Trump administration has taken a dramatic step in its ongoing conflict with higher education institutions, revoking Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students. The move, announced Thursday by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), could reshape the university’s academic landscape and significantly impact thousands of students from around the world.

Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening, what it means for the Harvard community, and what remains uncertain.

What Just Happened?

The Department of Homeland Security terminated Harvard’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which allows U.S. institutions to host international students on F-1 and J-1 visas. Without this certification, Harvard is legally barred from enrolling any new or existing international students under these visa programs.

This decision follows a high-profile standoff between Harvard and the Trump administration, which froze $2.2 billion in federal funding last month. The freeze came after Harvard refused to comply with demands to overhaul its international student program, becoming one of the first elite universities to push back against the administration’s education policies.

Harvard has strongly condemned the DHS decision, calling it “unlawful” and pledging swift action to support affected students.

Why This Matters: The Impact on Harvard’s International Community

International students are a vital part of Harvard’s academic fabric. In the 2024–2025 academic year alone, the university enrolled 6,793 international students—nearly 27% of its student body. Including visiting scholars and researchers, the international academic community at Harvard totals nearly 10,000 individuals from more than 140 countries.

Losing SEVP certification means these students must either transfer to another certified university or risk falling out of legal immigration status.

“We are committed to maintaining our ability to host our international students and scholars… who enrich the University and this nation,” Harvard stated in response.

What Happens to Current Students?

According to a letter from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, Harvard may not enroll any international students on F-1 or J-1 visas for the upcoming academic year. Students already enrolled must transfer to another SEVP-certified institution to retain their legal status in the U.S.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) requires all SEVP-certified schools to track key information about international students, such as their address and academic status. If a school loses certification, affected students typically have a short window to transfer or leave the country.

ICE has also emphasized strict compliance, warning that it will sanction schools that fail to meet their obligations.

Academic and Financial Fallout

The repercussions could be far-reaching for Harvard and beyond. Faculty members are expressing alarm over the potential academic consequences. Some warn that labs and research programs could be hollowed out without international scholars.

“Many labs will empty out,” one professor told CNN.

Jason Furman, a Harvard economist and former advisor to President Obama, didn’t mince words:

“It is impossible to imagine Harvard without our amazing international students. They are a huge benefit to everyone here, to innovation, and to the United States more broadly.”

The policy could also hurt Harvard financially. International students often pay full tuition since they’re typically ineligible for federal aid—an important revenue source. In April, DHS Secretary Noem argued that Harvard “relies heavily on foreign student funding … to build and maintain their substantial endowment.”

University spokesperson Jason Newton warned that the action would inflict “serious harm” on the Harvard community and compromise the school’s educational mission.

What’s Next?

Harvard has vowed to challenge the decision and provide urgent support to its international students. But for now, many questions remain about how quickly the university can respond—and whether the policy will withstand legal scrutiny.

As one of the world’s leading academic institutions finds itself at the center of a political battle, the consequences could ripple across the entire landscape of American higher education.

Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly attributed a quote about Harvard’s reliance on foreign student funding. It was made by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem in April.

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