Columbia University Sanctions Nearly 80 Students Amid Pressure Over Gaza Protests
Columbia University has issued disciplinary sanctions against nearly 80 students involved in pro-Palestinian campus protests, as the institution seeks to restore $400 million in federal funding suspended by the Trump administration.
The crackdown follows months of political pressure from President Donald Trump, who has accused Columbia and other top U.S. universities of failing to curb alleged anti-Semitism during widespread protests against Israel’s war in Gaza last year.
The university, which became the center of nationwide student-led demonstrations, announced a series of internal reforms aimed at regaining the frozen funding. However, the move has sparked backlash from student groups who say their freedom of expression is under attack.
According to a university statement, the latest sanctions were prompted by two protest actions: a library sit-in during the May exam season and an encampment set up during Columbia’s alumni weekend in spring 2024. The library protest, which disrupted hundreds of students, led to penalties ranging from probation and suspensions of up to three years, to degree revocations and expulsions.
“The University does not release individual disciplinary results of any student,” the statement clarified. Columbia also said these sanctions marked the final findings from the protest-related events of that period, though details of punishments related to the spring encampment were not disclosed.
Student activist group Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD), which advocates for severing all financial ties with Israel, condemned the university’s response. The group said the punishments go far beyond what has been issued for similar protests in the past.
“These sanctions hugely exceed precedent for teach-ins or non-Palestine-related building occupations,” CUAD stated. “We will not be deterred. We are committed to the struggle for Palestinian liberation.”
Meanwhile, fellow Ivy League school Harvard University is also facing similar political pressure and funding threats but is currently challenging the federal actions through legal channels.
Mutib Khalid is a skilled content writer and digital marketer with a knack for crafting compelling narratives and optimizing digital strategies. Excel in creating engaging content that drives results and enhances online presence. Passionate about blending creativity with data-driven approaches, Mutib Khalid helps brands connect with their audience and achieve their goals.