A faculty rights organization at Columbia University voiced strong disapproval regarding the administration’s handling of anti-Israel demonstrations at campus libraries on Wednesday, which led to numerous arrests.
A letter from Columbia’s Executive Committee of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) criticized acting president Claire Shipman for requesting assistance from the NYPD.
The protests erupted Wednesday afternoon when demonstrators entered Butler Library, occupying its reading room and damaging an exterior door. Two officers from campus police were also reported injured during the events.
The NYPD confirmed that 80 arrests occurred, with around 50 of those arrested identified as Columbia students.
The AAUP’s letter largely overlooked specifics of the protest, noting how it disrupted students studying for finals and referred to the incident as a “tragedy.” The group emphasized concerns about the university’s shift towards stricter enforcement policies.
They argued that Columbia’s leadership was undermining academic freedom and shared governance, mirroring what they perceive as an increasingly authoritarian climate from the Trump administration.
According to AAUP, the administration’s decision to enhance public safety measures could escalate conflicts with students, instead of addressing their concerns.
Prior to the protests, Shipman had indicated a plan to review and reform the university’s Senate, the governing body made up of elected representatives from various departments, in response to potential funding cuts from the federal government.
Columbia faced a loss of more than $400 million in federal funding earlier this year after the Trump administration accused the institution of failing to address rising anti-Semitism on campus.
The AAUP urged against moving forward with the planned review, citing the current “moment of crisis” at the university, and advised that such actions would undermine democratic governance.
They expressed that the review aimed to replace collaborative decision-making with top-down corporate management, misunderstanding the responsibilities of university leadership.
In light of these tensions, the organization proposed six recommendations aimed at preserving established decision-making structures rather than dismantling them. They advocated for a cohesive response to the current challenges.
The AAUP condemned Columbia’s punitive measures against students involved in the protests, emphasizing the need for protocols to facilitate mediation and de-escalation during future demonstrations.
