Columbia University temporarily goes remote amid pro-Palestinian protests

Higher Ed Dive

Laura Spitalniak

April 22, 2024

Dive Brief:

• Columbia University temporarily shifted to fully remote classes Monday as its administration struggles to handle pro-Palestinian protests that have ramped up on campus over the past week.

• Columbia’s security force is only permitting individuals with a university-issued photo ID to access the campus amid “considerable disruption and distress,” according to Cas Holloway, Columbia’s chief operating officer. The increased security measures, which also include a limited number of campus entry points, will remain in effect until further notice.

• Columbia President Minouche Shafik encouraged employees who can work remotely to do so on Monday, and said the administration preferred students living off campus to stay away from campus. Her announcement comes as lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are calling for her to step down.

Dive Insight:

Pro-Palestinian protesters have been active on Columbia’s campus for weeks, though tensions surged after they formed an encampment early Wednesday on the university’s South Lawn. The encampment formed the same day Shafik testified in front of Congress about how the university has been addressing antisemitism.

On Thursday, Columbia university officials requested police intervention to clear out the protesters’ encampment. During that effort, the New York Police Department arrested more than 100 protesters, including students from Columbia and its sister institution, Barnard College, on trespassing charges.

New York City Police Commissioner Edward Caban described the protesters as cooperative, The Associated Press reported.

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