NEW YORK (AP) — Columbia University made headlines this Tuesday by taking stern disciplinary measures against students engaged in a pro-Palestinian protest held in the main library just before finals this past May, as well as an encampment that took place during the alumni weekend last year.
According to a student activist group, nearly 80 individuals were punished with suspensions ranging from one to three years or faced expulsion. The university’s judicial board also enforced additional sanctions, which included probation and potential revocations of their degrees, as stated in their official release.
These measures coincide with the university’s ongoing negotiations with the Trump administration over $400 million in federal funding that was recently put on hold. The administration took this step after criticizing Columbia’s response to antisemitism during the Israel-Hamas conflict that began in October 2023, claiming that the university failed to adequately address the issue during prior protests over the Gaza war.
In response, Columbia agreed to implement significant reforms, as stipulated by the Republican administration, which includes revisiting the student disciplinary framework and adopting a clearer definition of antisemitism.
The university’s statement emphasized, “Our primary focus is on fulfilling our academic mission. For our community to thrive academically, there must be mutual respect, along with adherence to the institution’s essential policies and regulations. Disruptions to academic pursuits contradict these principles and will be met with appropriate consequences.”
The specific identities of the students facing sanctions remain undisclosed.
Complicating the matter further, Columbia revealed in May that it plans to lay off approximately 180 staff members and reduce its research endeavors due to the financial implications stemming from the loss of federal support. This job loss affects about 20% of staff relying on funding previously provided by terminated federal grants.
Members of the student activist group have criticized these new backlash measures as exceeding previous standards for consequences in similar situations. They mentioned that suspended individuals might need to issue apologies to regain access to campus, an option many are unwilling to consider.
In response to their situation, the Columbia University Apartheid Divest group stated, “We won’t back down. We remain steadfast in our dedication to the cause of Palestinian liberation.”
Columbia has been a significant player in the wave of campus activism across the U.S., particularly during the spring of 2024. The campus witnessed extensive pro-Palestinian demonstrations, which prompted participants to set up an encampment and occupy a university building, resulting in multiple arrests and sparking nationwide protest movements.
Since reclaiming the White House in January, Trump has shifted funding away from prestigious U.S. universities that he accuses of endorsing antisemitism.
The administration has intensified its efforts to penalize individual students involved in protests. Notably, Columbia graduate student Mahmoud Khalil—a lawful resident with no criminal history—was detained in March due to his participation in pro-Palestinian demonstrations and is currently pursuing legal action against the Trump administration. He is arguing that his detention was unwarranted, accusing them of false imprisonment and damaged reputation.
