Columbia University revealed on Thursday that it has implemented disciplinary actions against students involved in last spring’s occupation of a campus building during an anti-Israel protest. According to The New York Times, the university disclosed that penalties range from “multiyear suspensions, temporary degree revocations and expulsion.”
A university spokesperson, citing federal privacy regulations, chose not to reveal the identities of the students who faced these sanctions. It is still unknown how many individuals have been affected by these measures.
This development follows a statement from Gregory J. Wawro, a political science professor and the university’s rules administrator, who confirmed that hearings had been concluded for students accused of breaking rules during the April 17-18, 2024 protest, which included an occupation of Hamilton Hall and a camp set up on the South Lawn.
Students who were subjected to disciplinary hearings were allowed to have two advisers, including legal counsel, present during their video hearings, as reported by a Columbia staff member familiar with the proceedings.
This announcement arrives as Columbia University is under significant scrutiny after the Trump administration withdrew $400 million in federal funding, citing the university’s “inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students.”
Columbia has faced increased criticism over the surge in antisemitism on campus since the Hamas massacre in Israel on October 7, 2023.
In August, two months after the anti-Israel protest camp, three Columbia University deans resigned after it was revealed that they had exchanged “very troubling” text messages, which “disturbingly touched on ancient antisemitic tropes.”
Later that same month, Dr. Minouche Shafik, the President of Columbia University, announced her resignation following sustained criticism of her response to the issue of antisemitism on campus.
The university has seen an uptick in anti-Israel actions in recent weeks. In January, a group of anti-Israel students disrupted an Israeli history class, banging drums, chanting “Free Palestine,” and handing out flyers that depicted a boot crushing a Star of David.
These students were later expelled, which sparked protests at Barnard College. The protests intensified when demonstrators took over the Barnard College library, resulting in multiple arrests.
{Matzav.com}
