Columbia University Disciplines Over 70 Students in Pro-Palestine Protests
Columbia University has disciplined over 70 students for their involvement in pro-Palestine demonstrations that caused disruptions on campus, including a violent library takeover. The university’s judicial board, now under the provost’s office, issued sanctions ranging from suspensions to expulsions, with two-thirds of the affected students facing expulsion or suspension.
The incidents, which included the May 7 riots at Butler Library and other chaotic events during Alumni Weekend and spring 2024, led to the university’s decision to implement new judicial processes after a probe by the White House’s Joint Task Force to Combat Antisemitism. School officials stated that they began investigating rule violations immediately following the Butler Library disruption, which affected hundreds of students trying to study.
Sanctions, issued on July 21 by the university judicial board, were determined by a panel of professors and administrators over the summer. These sanctions included probation, suspensions (ranging from one year to three years), degree revocations, and expulsions. While the university does not release individual disciplinary results, the statement emphasized the importance of upholding university policies and maintaining campus order.
Faculty rights groups have condemned the university’s handling of the library takeover, labeling it an ‘authoritarian ethos,’ and the situation has sparked criticism from both sides. The administration, however, has expressed its commitment to improving its disciplinary processes, emphasizing the need for respect and adherence to rules. The ongoing tensions highlight the broader challenges facing universities in balancing free speech and campus security, a debate that has intensified in recent years due to the increasing political polarization on campuses.
Further, the university has faced criticism from the Trump administration for alleged violations of civil rights laws due to its ‘deliberate indifference’ to campus protests. Additionally, the university’s acting president has condemned the storming of the campus library by anti-Israel agitators, describing the actions as ‘utterly unacceptable.’ The administration’s responses reflect the complex interplay of free speech, security, and institutional accountability in the wake of heightened campus activism.