WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Columbia University on Monday canceled its university-wide commencement ceremony scheduled for May 15 in favor of smaller, school-based events after weeks of pro-Palestinian protests roiled the Ivy League School.

"We have decided to make the centerpiece of our commencement activities our Class Days and school-level ceremonies, where students are honored individually alongside their peers, rather than the University-wide ceremony that is scheduled for May 15," the university said in a statement.

(Reporting by Doina Chiacu)