Campus Updates

These campus updates are generated by Columbia University’s Office of Public Affairs, and we are sharing them to provide broader access to the latest information.

 

Campus Update for April 25, 2024 (11:06 p.m ET)

We are providing an update on the ongoing discussions between the University and the student protestors:

The talks have shown progress and are continuing as planned.

For several days, a small group of faculty, administrators, and University Senators have been in dialogue with student organizers to discuss the basis for dismantling the encampment, dispersing, and following University policies going forward. We have our demands; they have theirs. A formal process is underway and continues.

There is a rumor that the NYPD has been invited to campus this evening. This rumor is false.

Campus Update for April 25, 2024 (5:30 p.m. ET)

A press briefing by Ben Chang, vice president of Communications at Columbia University.

Let me start with the following:

President Shafik spoke with Mayor Eric Adams earlier today. His office convened university presidents to discuss ongoing campus safety issues, and we appreciate his partnership.

Speaking of elected officials, we continue to facilitate visits. If an elected official requests to visit campus, we facilitate it. We have accommodated many visits from elected officials in recent days.

Safety and Security 

Columbia Chief Operating Officer Cas Holloway just sent a message to the campus community:

  • The University was made aware of multiple, potentially significant protest and counterprotest activities occurring this evening outside the campus gates. In anticipation of these protests, following is an update of our safety measures and precautions you should take for this evening.
  • Protest activity is expected along Amsterdam Avenue and Broadway starting at approximately 6 p.m. and continuing for several hours. The New York Police Department is aware of the protests and is adding personnel to maintain safety consistent with the anticipated conditions.
  • Out of an abundance of caution, please avoid the area this evening if that is possible for you to do. Additional safety and security measures the University has in place include:
    • Increased patrol strength to provide additional patrols of campus, more personnel for our campus escort service, and more staff at campus access points.
    • Safety escorts available to members of the Columbia community at any time of day.
    • Enhanced security along the campus perimeter.
  • Campus remains restricted to CUID holders only with limited gate access. Columbia Public Safety is in close communication with the NYPD should there be any new developments.
  • The safety and security of our Columbia community and Morningside neighbors are paramount.

On the ongoing discussions between the University and the student protestors:

  • For several days, a small group of faculty, administrators, and University Senators have been in dialogue with student organizers to discuss the basis for dismantling the encampment, dispersing, and following University policies going forward.
  • We have our demands; they have theirs.
  • A formal process is underway and continues.
  • As President Shafik has said, we very much hope these discussions are successful. If they are not, we will have to consider options for restoring calm to campus.

Campus Operations

  • At the Morningside campus, CUID-only access remains in place until circumstances allow for broader access.
  • We have windows for media access from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. every day.
  • On areas outside of campus, outside Columbia’s gates, as noted above:
    • We remain in constant contact with NYPD, in particular with the leadership of the 26th precinct, whom we are in touch with daily.
    • We continue to express our appreciation for all the work of the NYPD. We refer you to the NYPD for questions on street closures, crowd control measures, arrests, investigations, and other police matters.

Campus Update for April 24, 2024 (6 p.m. ET)

House Speaker Mike Johnson, Representative Virginia Foxx, who chairs the House Education and the Workforce Committee, and fellow Congressional members held a press conference on the steps of Low Library. President Shafik sat down with them just before their media event. She shares the representatives’ focus on and commitment to the safety and security of the campus community and she appreciates help from all those who offer it. “As we are seeing on campuses from California to Texas, from Minnesota to Massachusetts, fellow universities are confronting immense, and similar challenges,” said Ben Chang, vice president of communications.

Overnight, there were two updates sent to the campus community. First, a message from President Shafik focusing on a number of themes, including:

  • “The encampment raises serious safety concerns, disrupts campus life, and has created a tense and at times hostile environment for many members of our community.”
  • “For several days, a small group of faculty, administrators, and University Senators have been in dialogue with student organizers to discuss the basis for dismantling the encampment, dispersing, and following university policies going forward.”
  • “I very much hope these discussions are successful. If they are not, we will have to consider alternative options for clearing the West Lawn and restoring calm to campus so that students can complete the term and graduate. I am deeply sensitive to the fact that graduating seniors spent their first year attending Columbia remotely. We all very much want these students to celebrate their well-deserved graduation with family and friends.”
  • “I also want to be clear that we will not tolerate intimidating, harassing, or discriminatory behavior. We are working to identify protestors who violated our policies against discrimination and harassment, and they will be put through appropriate disciplinary processes. The right to protest is essential and protected at Columbia, but harassment and discrimination is antithetical to our values and an affront to our commitment to be a community of mutual respect and kindness.”
  • “I am grateful for the support of City and State officials in managing this crisis, which has drawn a large volume of outside protestors around our perimeter, exacerbating security concerns and producing much of the incendiary language that is causing deep distress for many in our community.”

Later at 4 a.m. ET this morning, an update that Columbia University is making important progress with representatives of the student encampment on the West Lawn was sent out to the community:

  • Student protestors have committed to dismantling and removing a significant number of tents.
  • Student protesters will ensure that those not affiliated with Columbia will leave. Only Columbia University students will be participating in the protest.
  • Student protestors in the encampment will comply with all requirements of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) with respect to activities and safety.
  • Student protestors have taken steps to make the encampment welcome to all and have prohibited discriminatory or harassing language.

In light of this constructive dialogue, the University will continue conversations for the next 48 hours.

Many reporters have asked about a baseless assertion that the University threatened to bring in the National Guard: That is untrue and an unsubstantiated claim. “Our goal is to restore order—if we can get there through dialogue, we will,” Chang said.

Campus Operations

  • At the Morningside campus, CUID-only access remains in place until circumstances allow for broader access.
  • The University has windows for media access from 2 to 4 p.m. every day.

Latest Announcements

Besides President Shafik’s message last night and the update early this morning about important progress with representatives of the student encampment on the West Lawn, here are the latest announcements:

Safety and Security

There have been acts of vandalism on campus since the protests began, including reports of harassment and discrimination. When the University mentions “safety,” it is not just about the absence of violence, it is about this range of actions and concerns. The current protest is in violation of University rules, and Columbia is taking steps to resolve it. Many people have asked about the status of student suspensions:

  • For Columbia, the University is not providing specific figures as the disciplinary process continues.
  • For students from Barnard College, the University refers you to Barnard for comment on Barnard student discipline.

On areas outside of campus, outside Columbia’s gates:

  • The University remains in constant contact with the New York Police Department (NYPD), in particular with the leadership of the 26th precinct, whom the administration is in touch with daily.
  • The University continues to express appreciation for all the work of the NYPD. Contact the NYPD for questions on street closures, crowd control measures, arrests, investigations, and other police matters.

Campus Update for April 24, 2024 (4 a.m. ET)

Columbia University is making important progress with representatives of the student encampment on the West Lawn:

  • Student protestors have committed to dismantling and removing a significant number of tents.
  • Student protesters will ensure that those not affiliated with Columbia will leave. Only Columbia University students will be participating in the protest.
  • Student protestors in the encampment will comply with all requirements of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) with respect to activities and safety.
  • Student protestors have taken steps to make the encampment welcome to all and have prohibited discriminatory or harassing language.

In light of this constructive dialogue, the University will continue conversations for the next 48 hours. (Please note that this is an update from President Shafik's message from last night.)

Campus Update for April 23, 2024

As President Minouche Shafik has said, the safety of the Columbia community is the University’s number one priority. That includes the safety of the encampment, which continues to grow. The University is watching this closely and is concerned about the presence of non-affiliates—people who are not members of the Columbia community—in the encampment who should not be on campus.

Columbia students have the right to protest, but they are not allowed to disrupt campus life or harass and intimidate fellow students and members of the community. The University is acting on the concerns of its Jewish students and is providing additional support and resources to ensure that the community remains safe. 

The University is working hard to resolve the situation on campus, which includes ongoing discussions with local, city, and state officials. University officials met with representatives of the student protestors until 2 a.m. this morning. That work continues in good faith. 

President Shafik is focused on de-escalating the rancor on Columbia’s campus. She is working across campus with members of the faculty, administration, and Board of Trustees, and with state, city, and community leaders, and appreciates their support.

Campus Operations

  • At the Morningside campus, CUID-only access remains in place until circumstances allow for broader access.
  • The Office of Public Affairs has windows for media access from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. every day. Email the office ([email protected]) to request access. 

Latest Announcements

Safety and Security

There have been acts of vandalism on campus since the protests began, reports of harassment and discrimination. When the University mentions “safety,” it is not just about the absence of violence, it is about this range of actions and concerns. The current protest is in violation of University rules, full stop, so steps are being taken to resolve it.

Many people have asked about the status of student suspensions:

  • For Columbia, the University is not providing specific figures as the disciplinary process continues.
  • For students from Barnard College, the University refers you to Barnard for comment on Barnard student discipline.

On areas outside of campus, outside Columbia’s gates:

  • The University remains in constant contact with the New York Police Department (NYPD), in particular with the leadership of the 26th precinct, whom the administration is in touch with daily.
  • The University continues to express appreciation for all the work of the NYPD. Contact the NYPD for questions on street closures, crowd control measures, arrests, investigations, and other police matters.

Other Developments

  • As mentioned earlier, President Shafik is working with state, city, and community leaders, and appreciates their support.
  • Yesterday, President Shafik joined Governor Kathy Hochul for a meeting with students and staff at the Kraft Center for Jewish Student Life.
  • President Shafik spoke with Mayor Eric Adams today and will stay in regular, direct contact with the Mayor and his senior team going forward.
  • Additionally, President Shafik spoke today with several members of Congress from the New York delegation, updating them on the situation on campus and responding to their questions. 
  • Internally, President Shafik’s chief of staff met with the Task Force on Antisemitism.
  • Finally, Columbia staff have facilitated access for numerous government officials at the local, state, and federal level who have visited campus over the last few days.