Updated: May 19 at 11:40 a.m.
Though a new policy said graduates would be barred from bringing 'large objects' to Class Day ceremonies, Spectator news deputy Teo Armus has confirmed that Emma Sulkowicz, CC '15, was allowed into the Columbia College Class Day tents with her mattress.
Sulkowicz's senior thesis, "Carry That Weight," is a performance art piece in which she has carried her mattress around campus until her alleged rapist, Paul Nungesser, CC '15, is no longer on campus. Nungesser is currently suing Columbia and Sulkowicz's thesis adviser, visual arts professor Jon Kessler. His suit alleges violations of Title IX in the University's handling of Sulkowicz's project.
Follow along for live updates from the ceremony here.
Video of Emma Sulkowiz carrying her mattress on stage at #ccclassday2015 @teoarmus @ColumbiaSpec @CarryTogether http://t.co/Wzeo9tk97H
— Michael Ouimette (@mtouimette) May 19, 2015.@Sejal_Singh_, @ZoeRidolfiStarr & 2 others helped Emma Sulkowicz carry her mattress across stage at #ccclassday2015 pic.twitter.com/pEOqQviD0N
— Teo Armus (@teoarmus) May 19, 2015According to @ZoeRidolfiStarr and @Sejal_Singh_, Emma Sulkowicz was allowed into tents with mattress #ccclassday2015
— Teo Armus (@teoarmus) May 19, 2015Emma Sulkowicz said she received no direct communication in advance of #ccclassday
— Teo Armus (@teoarmus) May 19, 2015Walking mattress down ramps in Lerner for #ccclassday pic.twitter.com/lRT13hbZcZ
— Teo Armus (@teoarmus) May 19, 2015Paul Nungesser's name is listed on the program for #ccclassday pic.twitter.com/SSOdinibzH
— Teo Armus (@teoarmus) May 19, 2015Sulkowicz said a Columbia officer asked her to leave her mattress in a room in Lerner Hall and then pick it up afterwards #ccclassday
— Teo Armus (@teoarmus) May 19, 2015Emma Sulkowicz is with her mattress, waiting in the processional line for #ccclassday pic.twitter.com/ubaDeG0rQz
— Teo Armus (@teoarmus) May 19, 2015Emma and her mattress at commencement this morning. pic.twitter.com/KK2kG0Vojc
— Jess (@oxfordist) May 19, 2015 Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, CC '92, is giving his keynote speech.Garcetti: "There is no original commencement speech." #ccclassday2015 pic.twitter.com/dCvRMpaWf2
— Teo Armus (@teoarmus) May 19, 2015Garcetti: "If you passed @FoSColumbia, you know succeeding, isn't that tough." #ccclassday2015
— Teo Armus (@teoarmus) May 19, 2015.@ericgarcetti led a boycott against MoHi grocery store that didn't accept cans, fighting homelessness in LA now #ccclassday2015
— Teo Armus (@teoarmus) May 19, 2015.@ericgarcetti mentions marriage equality, prison divestment in speech at #ccclassday2015
— Teo Armus (@teoarmus) May 19, 2015.@ericgarcetti: "You've held contrary opinions, held die-ins and sit-ins, carried mattresses" #ccclassday2015
— Teo Armus (@teoarmus) May 19, 2015.@ericgarcetti: "Never stop being academics, and never stop being activists." #ccclassday2015
— Teo Armus (@teoarmus) May 19, 2015
