Columbia University expels students who seized building last year

Columbia University has expelled or suspended several students involved in the occupation of Hamilton Hall during pro-Palestinian protests last spring, with some students who have already graduated facing their diplomas being temporarily revoked, officials announced.

The university’s decision followed a lengthy investigative process conducted by a judicial board that examined the actions of the students who participated in the protests related to the Gaza war, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

In a campus-wide email, the university confirmed that sanctions were imposed on those who occupied the building as part of the protests. However, Columbia did not provide specifics on how many students were expelled, suspended, or had their degrees revoked, stating that the sanctions were based on an "evaluation of the severity of behaviors."

This announcement comes amid broader scrutiny of Columbia's response to the protests. The university is under pressure from Congressional Republicans, who have criticized it for not taking stronger actions against the students involved in the building occupation. These critics claim the university failed to address antisemitism on campus, particularly following the Hamilton Hall protest. The Trump administration has also cut more than $400 million in federal funds to the university, citing its failure to combat antisemitism.

The protest escalated after a tent encampment was set up on campus, leading to the takeover of Hamilton Hall on April 30, 2024. The next day, New York police raided the campus and arrested dozens of protesters. Though the Manhattan district attorney’s office later decided not to pursue criminal charges against 31 of the 46 arrested, the students faced internal disciplinary proceedings.

Some students involved in the encampment, but not the building occupation, were told they would not face further action beyond their prior suspensions.

In response to the ongoing pressure, Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, who was arrested by federal immigration authorities last weekend, and seven students filed a lawsuit against a Congressional committee seeking to block access to their disciplinary records.

By Vafa Guliyeva