Parents speak out against ‘nightmare’ conditions on campus
Amy Gallatin, whose daughter attends Barnard College, an affiliate of Columbia University, joined “Fox & Friends First” to discuss widespread anti-Israel campus protests and how they affected her daughter’s ability to receive an education. He expressed his concerns about whether it was having a negative impact.
Several universities have been closed in recent weeks and days as anti-Israel riots spread on campuses across the country, leaving people who paid thousands of dollars in tuition with no access to some campus buildings or resources. I feel frustrated about being banned.
Amy Gallatin, whose daughter attends Columbia University’s affiliated Barnard College in New York City, said the school’s closure is a “necessary evil.” “This is not an experience that my freshman daughter should go through, and this is not an experience that any student at any grade level should go through,” Gallatin said in an interview on Fox News Digital.
Barnard College has canceled in-class classes and moved to remote classes as violent anti-Israel protests spread on college campuses across the country, including Columbia University, UCLA, City University of New York, California State Polytechnic State University, and Tulane University. It was one of the schools in
UCLA canceled classes for the remainder of Wednesday “due to the distress caused by the violence that occurred on campus late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning.” The City University of New York is also part of the City University of New York System. Moved to distance learning Wednesday amid continued unrest on campus.
Columbia University moves to hybrid learning on main campus amid anti-Semitic protests
Student demonstrators parade with Palestinian flags outside the entrance to Hamilton Hall on the Columbia University campus on April 30, 2024 in New York City. (AP Photo/Mary Altafer/Pool)
Tulane University announced Tuesday that it has closed part of its campus and moved some classes to distance learning. Amid the chaos on campus, other schools, including California State Polytechnic State University and Columbia University, announced last month that some classes would move to hybrid or remote learning through the end of the spring 2024 semester.
Gallatin acknowledged Bernard’s decision to implement distance learning in an effort to keep students safe on campus, and said the transition has been difficult for her daughter. On Tuesday, she had to take her final exam in her dorm while hearing chants calling for violence outside her window.
“My daughter is also annoyed. [and] “It’s no surprise,” she said. “She took her final exam at 6pm yesterday, and was sitting in her dormitory when protesters in the street were beating her up and kicking her. , just chanting.”
Ms Gallatin said hearing chants that seemed to call for the death of Jews during exams was a “very disturbing experience” for her daughter, adding: “It’s terrifying to walk among people like that.” he said.
Gallatin praised the media for being “committed to making sure we understand the current crisis of anti-Semitism and anti-American sentiment.”
She also praised the law enforcement officers who removed the occupiers at Columbia University on Tuesday night, but noted how encampments and demonstrations have affected students’ ability to walk on campus and access buildings such as the library, cafeteria, and gym. He emphasized that it has such an impact.
“It’s very inconvenient,” she said. “That alone is quite stressful.”
Police are seen near an anti-Israel camp on the UCLA campus on May 1, 2024. (Reuters/David Swanson)
Several parents of students attending schools that have transitioned to remote learning have asked for tuition refunds or refunds.
Gallatin said he remains cautious about joining the tuition refund request, but said, “There is merit in at least requesting some type of adjustment.”
Parents warn of ‘nightmarish’ climate on Columbia University campus: Jewish students are ‘threatened’
But other parents argue that for allowing anti-Israel violence to go on for so long, the university should refund tuition before the start of the next semester.
“The university should honestly be ashamed of its response to all of this. The university is primarily responsible for allowing the protests to turn out the way they did,” one Columbia University parent, who requested anonymity, told Fox News Digital. Told. “Before schools reopen, there must be compensation. Think of all those affected: students, staff, parents and police.”
A mother whose son is in the third grade at the same school added, “I don’t really like remote learning. I don’t think it’s good for any student.” “Although this is temporary, as I understand it, this should not have been an option in the first place. Whether it will last into next semester is anyone’s guess. , all of which could be avoided if schools take appropriate action and follow the rules in place to deal with this kind of thing. ”
meanwhile Tuition and fee prices It varies by university, but schools like Columbia University, Tulane University, and UCLA cost upwards of $65,000 each year. Places like City University of New York and California State Polytechnic State University cost about $6,900 and $8,300 in annual tuition, respectively.
Anti-Israel protests have spread rapidly in recent weeks as most schools refuse to take action despite threats against members of the Jewish community. (Getty Images)
Parents of recent University of Wisconsin graduates also expressed their thoughts on the matter in comments to Fox.
“It’s very disturbing to see what’s happening on campus. Yes, students and all of us have the right to free speech, but when others attend class or “No one has the right to prevent us from using our resources,” she said. “And no one should ever threaten or degrade anyone, regardless of their religion, background, or ethnicity. This goes against who we are as Americans, and our students should know better.”
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“As parents and a family, we have always had a very positive experience at this university. We have always found leadership communication to be clear and informative. Our son enjoyed his time there very much. We’ve had a positive experience and we love this school. That’s why I love this university so much. It’s sad to see what’s happening there now, but we… We trust and hope that the university’s leadership will get things under control and make it available to all students of all backgrounds by choice and payment. They are exposed to danger and threats as they try to complete their studies and their time there. ”
