Columbia University has threatened expulsion to pro-Palestinian demonstrators who occupied Hamilton Hall overnight.
Columbia University said Tuesday afternoon that student protesters who occupied Hamilton Hall overnight face expulsion.
In a new statement Tuesday, the school said this is no longer a debate about the students‘ reasons, but rather their actions.Columbia’s latest statement
„We regret that protesters have chosen to escalate the situation through their actions. Our top priority is restoring safety and order on our campus.
„We made it very clear yesterday that the work of the University cannot be endlessly interrupted by protesters who violate the rules. Continuing to do so will be met with clear consequences. Protesters have chosen to escalate to an untenable situation — vandalizing property, breaking doors and windows, and blockading entrances — and we are following through with the consequences we outlined yesterday.
„Students occupying the building face expulsion.
„Protesters were informed that their participation in the encampment violated numerous university policies. We gave everyone at the encampment the opportunity to leave peacefully. By committing to abide by University policies, they would be allowed to complete the semester.
„Students who did not commit to the terms we offered are now being suspended. Those students will be restricted from all academic and recreational spaces and may only access their individual residence. Seniors will be ineligible to graduate.
„This is about responding to the actions of the protesters, not their cause.
„As we said yesterday, disruptions on campus have created a threatening environment for many of our Jewish students and faculty and a noisy distraction that interferes with teaching, learning, and preparing for final exams, and contributes to a hostile environment in violation of Title VI.
„The safety of our community remains our top priority.“Columbia limiting access to campus
That decision was made after occupied Hamilton Hall overnight, in defiance of a deadline to disperse.
In the latest update to students and staff, university officials said the Morningside campus may only be accessed by students who live in residential buildings, including Carman, Furnald, John Jay, Hartley, Wallach, East Campus and Wien, as well as essential employees.
