Columbia says it has begun suspending students who refuse to leave encampment

Columbia University on Monday began suspending students who refuse to leave a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus, hours after the deadline to leave the encampment had passed.

“As part of the next phase of our efforts to ensure campus safety, we have begun suspending students,” Ben Chan, Columbia University’s vice president for public affairs, said at a press conference Monday evening. “Once a disciplinary action is initiated, the adjudication is processed by several different departments within the university based on the nature of the violation.”

Earlier in the day, Columbia University, where the first large-scale camp was held, required students to disperse from the camp by 2 p.m. and sign a document pledging to abide by university rules on their way out. I was told that if I didn’t, I would be expelled from school.

“Students who did not meet their obligations were suspended by approximately 5:30 p.m. Monday and deemed ineligible to complete the semester and graduate,” Chan said. Students will also have “restricted” access to academic, housing and recreational space, he added.

Professor Chan did not reveal the exact number of students who have been suspended so far.

Protests have continued for more than a week at Columbia University and other college campuses across the country, resulting in the arrest of hundreds of students, faculty and staff. Demonstrators are demanding an end to the Israeli-Hamas war in Gaza and an end to US military aid to Gaza.

Chan said Colombian authorities urged student protesters to clear their encampments so as not to “deprive” their fellow students of their graduation.

The University of Southern California has canceled a major graduation ceremony after coming under fire after canceling a pro-Palestinian valedictorian’s speech.

School administrators are faced with finding a balance between protecting the safety of Jewish students while protecting their right to free speech. Although many of the protests were reported to be peaceful, concerns have also been raised about the prevalence of anti-Semitic rhetoric.

A coalition of more than 20 Democratic House members sent a letter to Columbia University on Monday urging administrators to end the encampment.

“We, the undersigned, wish to express our disappointment that Columbia University has not yet disbanded the unauthorized and impermissible encampment of anti-Israel and anti-Semitic activists on campus despite our commitment to do so. We will write to you,” the lawmakers wrote.

“As a result of the chaos on campus, supported by some faculty and staff, many students were unable to safely attend classes, access the main library, or live in their dorms, in clear violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. “I couldn’t even leave my room,” they added.

But other Democrats defended the demonstrations and accused school administrators of violating the rights of demonstrators.