Climate Activists Vandalize Cornell Founder’s Statue During Graduation: A Bold Statement from Former Professor and Protesters

Climate Activists Protest at Cornell University Graduation

During Cornell University’s graduation ceremony, a group of climate activists drew attention by protesting at the statue of Andrew Dickson White, one of the university’s founders. Their message was clear: they want the school to end its ties with the fossil fuel industry.

The group, known as Cornell on Fire, covered the statue’s face with a blindfold and displayed a poster criticizing Cornell’s fossil fuel connections. They organized this demonstration to highlight the urgent climate crisis facing the new graduates of 2025.

Three of the activists were given citations for trespassing and not having a permit to display their posters. As a consequence, they are now banned from all Cornell properties for the next three years. The protest was co-organized with other groups, including Fossil Free Cornell and TIAA-Divest.

Bethany Ojalehto Mays, a former psychology professor involved in the protest, argued that their actions were a form of “educational art installation” and should have been permissible. Although Cornell’s policies allow for expressive activities like art installations, they must be scheduled in advance and are restricted to those affiliated with the university. Mays’s status as a former professor complicates her eligibility for such activities.

In light of recent protests, Cornell on Fire expressed concern about the university’s increasing restrictions on student expression. They pointed to earlier events that went without incident, contrasting them with this more severe response.

Understanding the Context

Protests about climate change are becoming more common in universities across the country. A 2023 survey from the National Research Group found that over 70% of college students feel that climate change is an important issue that needs addressing. This reflects a growing trend where younger generations are advocating for greater action against climate crises.

In terms of historical context, the rise in campus activism mirrors movements from past decades, where students rallied for civil rights and environmental protection. Just as in those times, today’s students utilize protests and demonstrations to voice their concerns, hoping to initiate change.

Overall, the events at Cornell highlight the tensions between academic freedom, activism, and institutional policies. As climate emergencies become even more pressing, expect this debate to intensify in universities nationwide.

For more information on university policies regarding expressive activities, you can visit Cornell’s Expressive Activity Policy.

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