Several students from Columbia University have expressed their disappointment and concern after administrators decided to cancel the school's main commencement ceremony. The decision was primarily influenced by security concerns following raucous anti-Israel protests on campus. In an interview with Fox News Digital, a graduating senior and a member of the House Education & Workforce Committee, Yola Ashkenazie, expressed her desire to give voice to the shared concerns within the community and to urge Columbia administrators to take action.

Ashkenazie, who has been an advocate against anti-Semitism on campus, mentioned facing cyberbullying and confrontations due to her support for Israel. She lamented the cancellation of the commencement ceremony, highlighting the significance of graduation festivities for both the students and their families. She questioned the initial portrayal of the protests as peaceful demonstrations by the administration and challenged the inconsistency in their messaging.

Another student, Elisha Baker, emphasized the impact of the ceremony cancellation on the broader student body. Baker criticized the university's decision, stating that it seemed like they had given in to the demands of those advocating for the cancellation of joyous events on campus. He expressed empathy for the seniors who had already lost significant milestones due to Covid-19 and now had their senior springs and graduations impacted by the protests.

Baker, who is Jewish, further revealed that Jewish students have been subjected to hate speech and even violence during the protests. He recounted an incident where a friend had his Israeli flag ripped from his hands and was subsequently attacked by projectiles. Baker urged the university administration to ensure the safety of Jewish students and emphasized the importance of not allowing the protests to bully them off campus.

Columbia junior Eden Yadegar characterized the cancellation of the commencement ceremony as evidence of the "inmates running the asylum." Yadegar criticized the university for not enforcing promised repercussions for students crossing proverbial "red lines." She argued that the lack of consequences for disruptive behavior on campus further emboldened students to continue wreaking havoc.

Batya Tropper, another Columbia student, expressed her concern about the safety and comfort of Jewish students at the university. Despite her love for Columbia, Tropper now finds it challenging to recommend the institution to fellow Jewish students due to the climate on campus.

The cancellation of the main commencement ceremony at Columbia University has sparked a conversation about campus security and the protection of students' identities. Many students are grappling with the decision to remain on campus or leave due to safety concerns. The university administration now faces the task of addressing these issues to ensure a secure and inclusive environment for all students.

This article was written with contribution from Fox News Digital's Aubrie Spady.