Columbia University has expelled or suspended students involved in last spring’s pro-Palestinian protest that resulted in the takeover of Hamilton Hall. The university also announced Thursday that it had temporarily revoked the diplomas of some graduates involved in the demonstration.
In a campus-wide email, Columbia officials stated that a judicial board issued varying levels of punishment based on the “severity of behaviors” displayed during the protest. However, the university did not disclose how many students were expelled, suspended, or had their degrees revoked.
The disciplinary action follows months of pressure from lawmakers, including Congressional Republicans, who criticized Columbia’s handling of antisemitism on campus and its response to the April 2024 protests. The Trump administration has already stripped the university of over $400 million in federal funding, citing failure to adequately address campus antisemitism.
Protests and Police Crackdown
The protests at Columbia began as a tent encampment in April 2024, part of a broader wave of student demonstrations against the war in Gaza. The situation escalated on April 30, when a smaller group of protesters barricaded themselves inside Hamilton Hall using furniture and padlocks.
In response, hundreds of New York police officers entered the campus the following night, clearing both the occupied building and the encampment. Dozens of protesters were arrested, but many later had their charges dropped. While 46 people faced initial trespassing charges, the Manhattan district attorney’s office declined to prosecute 31 of them.
Despite the lack of criminal charges, Columbia’s judicial board continued its disciplinary process, culminating in Thursday’s announcement. Students involved in the encampment but not in the building takeover were spared further disciplinary action beyond their previous suspensions.
Legal and Political Fallout
The crackdown on student protesters has sparked legal and political battles. Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent Palestinian activist at Columbia, was arrested by federal immigration authorities last week. President Donald Trump has suggested that his detention is “the first of many” in an ongoing crackdown on campus activism.
Meanwhile, a new lawsuit filed in federal court Thursday challenges efforts by House Republicans to obtain Columbia and Barnard College disciplinary records for students involved in the protests. Khalil and seven other students argue that Congress is “abusing its power” to silence political dissent, violating First Amendment rights.
House Committee on Education and the Workforce Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) dismissed the lawsuit, stating that the requested records are essential to congressional investigations and legislation on campus antisemitism.
Faculty and Campus Reactions
The university’s decision has received mixed reactions. Some faculty members praised the move, arguing that it restores order on campus. Gil Zussman, chair of Columbia’s electrical engineering department and a member of the university’s Task Force on Antisemitism, called the disciplinary actions “an important first step” toward refocusing on academics.
However, free speech advocates are raising concerns about broader disciplinary measures targeting students critical of Israel. A newly formed university disciplinary board has reportedly launched additional cases against students expressing pro-Palestinian views, deepening fears of an institutional crackdown on dissent.
Columbia University declined to comment on the pending litigation, while Barnard College did not immediately respond to requests for a statement.
