Columbia University switches to distance learning, criticized for showing weakness to protesters

Columbia University’s on-campus anti-Israel protests have been escalating and difficult to quell. In response, the university announced that the final weeks of this semester will be conducted through remote learning, a move criticized by some as effectively shutting down the campus and showing weakness towards protesting students.

On April 22nd, Columbia University President Manouche Shafik announced that the university, along with Barnard College, would transition to remote learning to ease tensions on campus. However, later that evening, Dean of Academic Affairs Angela Olinto notified students and faculty that starting immediately until the end of the spring semester on April 29th, courses on the Morningside Heights campus would be conducted in a hybrid format when possible. Teachers unable to teach in a hybrid format could opt for fully remote instruction, with a commitment to accommodate students as the semester winds down. Olinto emphasized, “Safety is our top priority.”

The university’s decision has faced criticism. Other students expressed discontent, citing that the year-long shift to remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, now compounded by disruptive protest activities, is penalizing those who seek a serious academic environment. Former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer strongly condemned the decision to adopt a hybrid instruction model, labeling it as effectively closing the school. He argued that individuals disrupting other students should face expulsion. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee also criticized Columbia University for allowing anti-Israel protesters to “roam around, shouting genocide slogans.” He urged parents whose children attend the university to demand tuition refunds and take legal action for breach of contract.

Columbia University has emerged as a hub for pro-Palestinian movements across campuses nationwide, with protest activities in New York City spilling over to institutions like New York University. Despite Columbia’s call last week to bring in police to arrest protesting students and even resorting to suspensions, the activities have intensified, with instances of radical violence. Jewish students have expressed feeling unsafe due to some anti-Semitic chants by protesters on and off campus. The organization “Stop Antisemitism” recently released a video on an online platform featuring an external agitator loudly supporting Hamas.

According to the New York Post, a 22-year-old Jewish student at Columbia, Jonathan Ledere, attended a counter-protest on campus on the 20th waving an Israeli flag. The flag was snatched and burned by a protestor, who, along with another protestor, hurled stones at him, striking his face before fleeing.

In the past week, nearly 230 protesting individuals from Columbia and NYU have been arrested by law enforcement. Most have been lightly charged with unlawful entry and issued court summonses, with only four individuals receiving criminal summonses for obstructing justice and resisting arrest. Nearly all have been released without criminal records. The New York Post also reported that 16 students suspended from Columbia had their suspensions revoked after their legal representation threatened to sue the university.