The Columbia student who kickstarted a sexual assault activism movement brought her mattress to graduation
The mattress is part of Sulkowicz' senior thesis, a performance art piece titled "Mattress Performance: Carry That Weight." Since the beginning of her project, she has said that she would carry the mattress around campus until the male student she accuses of raping her leaves Columbia.
In April, her alleged assailant identified himself as fellow Columbia senior Paul Nungesser, who is currently suing the university for allegedly allowing Sulkowicz to harass and defame him. Nungesser maintains that he and Sulkowicz had consensual sex.
It was unclear whether Sulkowicz would be able to bring her mattress to graduation, according to The Columbia Daily Spectator, after Columbia's administration emailed seniors on Monday: "Graduates should not bring into the ceremonial area large objects which could interfere with the proceedings or create discomfort to others in close, crowded spaces shared by thousands of people." That restriction was not included in emails sent to seniors in 2013 or 2014, reports the student newspaper.
However, Sulkowicz appears to have brought her mattress to graduation. Spectator news editor Teo Armus has pictures of the student preparing to carry the mattress into the ceremony:
Nungesser is also present at Columbia graduation, Armus reports: