Columbia University punishes students who took over building during anti-Israel protests

Hundreds of students at Columbia University made headlines last spring when they occupied Hamilton Hall during a wave of anti-Israel protests. The university has now announced that some of these students will face serious consequences, including expulsions and suspensions. This decision comes as Columbia finds itself at the center of a heated controversy, with the Trump administration pulling more than $400 million in federal grants due to claims that the school has not done enough to address the harassment of Jewish students. The punishments, which include multi-year suspensions, temporary degree revocations, and expulsions, were handed down by the Columbia University Judicial Board.

The university has been under intense scrutiny since last October, when Hamas launched an attack against Israel on October 7, 2023. In the months that followed, Columbia’s campus saw a rise in antisemitism, with incidents ranging from the takeover of Hamilton Hall to the harassment of Jewish students and the disruption of an Israeli history class. In February, the House Committee on Education and Workforce sent a letter to Columbia’s interim president, Katrina Armstrong, and the school’s board chairs, detailing these incidents and expressing concern over the university’s handling of the situation. The letter highlighted the takeover of Hamilton Hall and the targeting of Jewish students, which created a hostile environment on campus.

The fallout from these events has led to significant consequences for both students and administrators. In August 2024, three Columbia University deans resigned after a text exchange surfaced that referenced ancient antisemitic tropes. Susan Chang-Kim, vice dean and chief administrative officer; Matthew Patashnick, associate dean for student and family support; and Cristen Kromm, dean of undergraduate student life, all stepped down amid the controversy. Additionally, Columbia University President Minouche Shafik resigned after facing months of criticism for her handling of the protests, which often turned violent and further polarized the campus community.

The Trump administration’s decision to cut federal grants to Columbia has added another layer of pressure on the university. In response, Interim President Katrina Armstrong issued a letter acknowledging the need for the university to address the harm caused to Jewish students. “When I accepted the role of Interim President in August 2024, I knew Columbia needed a reset from the previous year and the chaos of encampments and protests on our campus,” Armstrong wrote. “The University also needed to acknowledge and repair the damage to our Jewish students, who were targeted, harassed, and made to feel unsafe or unwelcome on our campus last spring.” Armstrong also emphasized the need for Columbia to rebuild trust and ensure that all students feel safe and supported.

The punishments announced by the Columbia University Judicial Board are set to take effect after the appeal period concludes. The university’s rules administrator confirmed that the University Life Office will oversee the return of suspended students, ensuring that they meet the necessary conditions for reinstatement. While the university has taken steps to address the disciplinary actions related to the occupation of Hamilton Hall, it also acknowledged that other incidents from last spring had already resulted in disciplinary measures. The university’s statement suggested that the determinations made by the Judicial Board recognized these prior actions and were part of a broader effort to hold students accountable for their behavior.

The situation at Columbia serves as a reminder of the challenges universities face in balancing free speech and student activism with the need to maintain a safe and inclusive campus environment. The cuts in federal funding and the high-profile resignations have underscored the gravity of the situation and the need for Columbia to take decisive action. As the university moves forward, it will need to navigate these complex issues carefully to avoid further alienating students, donors, and federal agencies. The outcome of this situation will likely set a precedent for how other universities handle similar challenges in the future.