NEW YORK — Columbia University switched to remote learning on Monday, as pro-Palestinian protests income its sixth day on the school’s campus in New York City.
Columbia University President Minouche Shafik announced that classes would be held virtually “to reduce rancor and give us all an opportunity to consider next steps.” The university initially said it would offer a remote learning option, but later made it mandatory.
Helicopter 2 flew over campus Monday morning. and saw the return of a tent camp on the school grounds.
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Last week, Shafik asked the NYPD to enter the grounds and remove a previous encampment. More than 100 people were arrested.
In a press conference on MondayMembers of the NYPD said the campus is private property and, barring an emergency that requires an immediate response, police therefore have a limited way to respond and can only do so if requested.
Barricades remained in place outside the school’s doors on Monday, and CBS New York learned there would be additional security guards patrolling, along with enhanced ID checks at the entrances.
“Faculty and staff who can work remotely must do so; essential staff must report to work in accordance with university policy,” the president’s statement continued. “Our preference is that students who do not live on campus do not come to campus.”
Shafik said he wants to sit down, talk and even “discuss” to come to terms with the tensions on campus, adding that a group of deans and administrators will help facilitate those conversations in the coming days.
Meanwhile, New York City and state leaders are speaking out against anti-Jewish rhetoric, with Easter will begin at sunset.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul visited the Columbia campus Monday morning to meet with leaders and discuss recent demonstrations. She met with Shafik, law enforcement officers and students, she said.
“Right now, there are a lot of students who don’t feel safe on campus,” Hochul said. “Students are afraid. They are afraid to walk on campus. They don’t deserve that. They deserve to be in an environment free of discrimination, as required by state human rights laws.”
Hochul added that she herself had once been a student protester, but “I had never seen a level of protest that was so person-to-person, that was so visceral.”
“These are our lives, this is our safety. Many Jewish students have gone home for Passover, there aren’t that many there right now. The Jewish students are petrified,” one student said Monday morning.
A counterprotest outside the campus gates was largely peaceful Monday, but sparked a heated exchange.
“Ninety-five percent of the Jewish people are Zionists. So if you don’t want to be part of the Jewish tribe, you have the right to do so. But you are not the spokesperson for the Jewish people, these… all of them here are,” said one person.
“I’m not a spokesperson for the Jewish people, I’m a spokesperson for what I believe in, okay? And I’m not comfortable,” the other person responded.
Anti-Semitism and security concerns
The protests broke out on Wednesday, when Shafik testified before the House Education and Workforce Committee on anti-Semitism on college campuses. The hearing lasted several hours and many Columbia students watched to see Shafik’s speech. commitment to your safety.
In response to the protests, the White House issued a statement denouncing anti-Semitism.
“While every American has the right to peacefully protest, calls for violence and physical intimidation against Jewish students and the Jewish community are blatantly anti-Semitic, unconscionable, and dangerous; they have absolutely no place on any college campus or anywhere in the world. United States of America. And echoing the rhetoric of terrorist organizations, especially in the wake of the worst massacre committed against the Jewish people since the Holocaust, is despicable. We condemn these statements in the strongest terms,” the secretary said. deputy press officer, Andrew Bates. saying.
In a series of posts aboutNew York City Mayor Eric Adams spoke about the role of the NYPD during the ongoing protests.
“I am horrified and disgusted by the anti-Semitism spreading on and around Columbia University’s campus. Hate has no place in our city, and I have instructed the NYPD to investigate any violations of the law.” law about which they receive a report and will arrest anyone found to be breaking the law,” Adams said.
Hochul also took to the social media platform to reiterate the right to peaceful assembly, but said threats of violence against Jewish students will not be tolerated.
“The First Amendment protects the right to protest, but students also have the right to learn in an environment free of harassment or violence. At Columbia or on any campus, threatening Jewish students with violence or glorifying the terror of October 7 is antisemitism”. Hochul said.
On Monday morning, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft said he was I no longer feel comfortable supporting Columbia. “Until corrective measures are taken.”
On Sunday, Rep. Elise Stefanik called on Shafik to resign.
“While Columbia’s failed leadership spent hundreds of hours preparing for this week’s Congressional hearing, it was clearly an attempt to cover up its abject failure to enforce its own campus rules and protect Jewish students on campus,” Stefanik said on X, formerly known as Twitter. “In recent months and especially in the last 24 hours, Columbia’s leadership has clearly lost control of its campus, putting the safety of Jewish students at risk. It is abundantly clear that Columbia University, previously a beacon of excellence academic founded by Alexander Hamilton, – needs new leadership. President Shafik must resign immediately and the Columbia Board must appoint a president to protect Jewish students and enforce school policies.
Jewish students say they live in fear; The rabbi tells them to stay home.
Jewish students on campus say they have lived in constant fear since the protests began, as they believe many of the chants are anti-Semitic.
That, in part, led a rabbi associated with the Columbia Orthodox Union’s Jewish Learning Initiative on campus to say he recommends that Jewish students stay home amid protests on campus.
However, after that message was sent to students, Campus Hillel issued a contrasting statement about to ensure the safety of our students.”
A different rabbi, Yehuda Drizin of the university’s Chabad, decided to hand out matzah to students celebrating Passover.
“This is a formative moment and none of them deserve to be in this. This is outrageous. It’s crazy, but at the same time, what I’m seeing is students stepping up and confidently coming to the Seder and eating matzah and “We say we are strong, we are proud and we are not afraid. That’s the reaction I’m seeing and it’s amazing,” Drizin said. “Sometimes, in some moments, it just takes the individual to walk with faith and confidence through any obstacle that comes their way. In the end, it opens up and they manage to move forward.”
Protests continue through the weekend
More than that 100 people have been arrested since pro-Palestinian demonstrations began last week both on campus and near it in Upper Manhattan.
Protesters began occupying the south field on Wednesday, setting up a makeshift camp made of tents. They have been critical of Columbia’s response to the Israel-Hamas was and they are asking the university to get rid of Israel.
“We demand full financial transparency. This is something that most schools, many schools, public schools, all provide fair transparency about where ethical investments come from and what they are investing in,” said one student, named Sarah, who was protesting . inside the camp.
“It was disturbing to see Columbia call the police on the students,” he added. “They are risking their professions and their physical and mental well-being in support of a cause they know is just, which is Palestinian freedom in our lifetime.”
School administrators warned students to leave the camp by Wednesday night or face suspension. The New York police arrested more than 100 people on Thursday after Shafik said the demonstration violated safety guidelines.
Columbia said in a statement: “Students are not permitted to pitch tents on the lawn. Those who do so violate a long-standing University policy and will be identified and subject to disciplinary action.”
On Saturday, a large group of protesters gathered outside the university gates, as students returned to the main campus lawn. According to the NYPD, four more people were arrested and released with summonses.
Students camped in tents, socialized and chanted things like “Resistance is glorious.” Those inside the camp said the pro-Palestinian protesters heard outside the school gates were not affiliated with students.
Meanwhile, students from other universities, MIT and Emerson College in Boston, held demonstrations in solidarity with Columbia students. In Washington, the House passed a $95 billion foreign aid package On Saturday that includes funds for Israel and humanitarian aid in Gaza.
A camp appears in The New School
A group of students from The New School also set up tents inside the Union Square campus.
About a dozen students took over the school’s University Center on West 12th Street on Sunday, setting up tents and making signs that read “Gaza Solidarity Camp.”
In an online post, the group said it stands in solidarity with protesters in Columbia.
The New School said its president will meet with student groups on Monday to consider their requests for financial transparency of the university’s investments.