Columbia asks protesters to “voluntarily disperse,” will hold commencement but will not divest from Israel
9:12 a.m. ET, April 29, 2024
Demonstrators are seen at the pro-Palestinian encampment at the Columbia University in New York on Sunday.
Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images
Columbia said in a statement Monday that while constructive dialogue between student organizers and academic leaders has been ongoing since last week, “Regretfully, we were not able to come to an agreement.”
“Both sides in these discussions put forward robust and thoughtful offers and worked in good faith to reach common ground,” the statement from University President Minouche Shafik said. “We thank them all for their diligent work, long hours, and careful effort and wish they had reached a different outcome.”
At present, the University is urging those in the encampment to “voluntarily disperse,” adding that they are “consulting with a broader group in our community to explore alternative internal options to end this crisis as soon as possible.”
University firmly states it will not divest from Israel
Notably, the University said it would not divest from Israel, which has been a main complaint of protestors. However, as part of the conversations, they “offered to develop an expedited timeline for review of new proposals from the students by the Advisory Committee for Socially Responsible Investing, the body that considers divestment matters.” “The University also offered to publish a process for students to access a list of Columbia’s direct investment holdings, and to increase the frequency of updates to that list of holdings.”
Columbia says it will “indeed hold a commencement”
Also notably, the University said they “want to reassure our community who are trying to make plans that we will indeed hold a commencement.”
“Please recall that many in this graduating class did not get a celebration when graduating from high school because of the pandemic, and many of them are the first in their families to earn a University degree,” the statement said.
With classes concluding, the encampment is a “noisy distraction” for students studying for finals.
Many Jewish students have left campus and “that is a tragedy”
The University president citing an “intolerable” atmosphere a number of Jewish students have found on campus in recent weeks, noted many of those students have left campus, adding “that is a tragedy.”
The encampment has not only “created an unwelcoming environment for many of our Jewish students and faculty” but the university added that external actors have created a “hostile environment” in violation of Title VI “especially around our gates, that is unsafe for everyone — including our neighbors.”
Important ideas emerged from talks
The University said its goal for the talks was “collaborative resolution” that would result in the “orderly removal” of the encampment — adding that in part, they offered to “convene a faculty committee to address academic freedom and to begin a discussion on access and financial barriers to academic programs and global centers.”
They added, “The University also offered to make investments in health and education in Gaza, including supporting early childhood development and support for displaced scholars.”
“There are important ideas that emerged from this dialogue, and we plan to explore pursuing them in the future,” the statement said.
CNN has reached out to student organizers on campus for a reaction to the statement.
The recent developments at Columbia University highlight the challenges faced by academic institutions when dealing with student protests and balancing various interests. While dialogue has been ongoing between student organizers and academic leaders, an agreement has not been reached, leading the university to ask protesters to voluntarily disperse. This decision comes with the university’s commitment to holding a commencement ceremony, acknowledging the significance for graduating students, especially those who missed out on high school celebrations due to the pandemic. However, the encampment resulting from the protest has become a distraction for students preparing for their finals.
One of the major points of contention among protesters is the university’s stance on divesting from Israel. Columbia University firmly states that it will not divest from Israel, but has offered to expedite the review process for new proposals from students through the Advisory Committee for Socially Responsible Investing. In addition, the university plans to increase transparency by publishing a list of its investment holdings and providing more frequent updates. These measures, although not fulfilling the divestment demand, aim to address concerns raised by the protesters.
Another significant issue that has emerged during the protests is the impact on the Jewish student community. The university acknowledges the “intolerable” atmosphere experienced by Jewish students, resulting in some leaving campus. The encampment not only creates an unwelcoming environment for Jewish students and faculty but also raises concerns regarding the safety of everyone in the vicinity, including neighboring communities. This represents a wider challenge faced by academic institutions in maintaining a balanced and inclusive environment for all students.
Despite the lack of a resolution, important ideas have emerged from the dialogue between the university and protesters. Columbia University intends to explore these ideas further, aiming for a collaborative resolution that ensures the orderly removal of the encampment. One proposal involves convening a faculty committee to address academic freedom and discuss access and financial barriers to academic programs and global centers. Moreover, the university has demonstrated a willingness to invest in health and education initiatives in Gaza, such as supporting early childhood development and assisting displaced scholars.
In today’s complex and interconnected world, issues surrounding protests, divestment, and inclusivity on university campuses are likely to persist. The case of Columbia University serves as a reminder of the challenges academic institutions face in balancing diverse perspectives and interests. Moving forward, universities must continue to engage in constructive dialogue, explore potential resolutions, and remain committed to creating inclusive environments that prioritize the safety and well-being of all students and faculty.
With the increasing prominence of social justice movements and the growing demands for change, universities must adapt and address the concerns raised by their student bodies. It is essential for academic institutions to continually review their policies and practices, ensuring they align with evolving societal expectations and values. This requires proactive engagement with students, faculty, and community members to foster an environment that values inclusivity, diversity, and academic freedom.
While the outcome of the Columbia University protest remains uncertain, it serves as a valuable case study for the broader implications and challenges faced by universities around the world. By analyzing these events, institutions can learn and adapt their approaches to better navigate similar situations in the future. The ability to balance multiple interests, engage in constructive dialogue, and implement inclusive policies will be crucial for universities as they strive to create positive and impactful change within their communities.
