Columbia prez to protesters: Clear out by midnight or else

Days after NYPD cops arrested more than 100 students at a pro-Palestinian encampment at Columbia University, the institution’s president gave a midnight Tuesday deadline for demonstrators to shut down their self-described “liberation zone.”

Campus stakeholders have been discussing the removal of the tents for several days, Columbia President Minouche Shafik wrote students late Tuesday, adding, “Those talks are facing a deadline of midnight tonight to reach agreement.

“I very much hope these discussions are successful. If they are not, we will have to consider alternative options for clearing the West Lawn and restoring calm to campus so that students can complete the term and graduate,” she stated, saying students deserve a chance to end the semester and “celebrate their well-deserved graduation.”

Meanwhile, Barnard College is looking to cut a deal with students suspended over the recent Gaza protests that would allow them to have their records cleared — if they agree to follow all college rules going forward.

That would likely require them to avoid the new encampment protesting the Israel-Hamas war now taking root on the Columbia campus, which college officials have described as a violation of school rules.

The women’s college, an affiliate of Columbia University, offered this week to lift the suspensions of students with no previous misconduct on their record, which college officials said is the “vast majority” of those who protested.

At least 53 Columbia students who were suspended last week attend Barnard, the student newspaper Columbia Spectator reported.

“Last night, the college sent written notices to these students offering to lift the interim suspensions,” college President Laura Rosenbury wrote, “and immediately restore their access to college buildings, if they agree to follow all Barnard rules during a probationary period.

“If these students choose this path, neither the interim suspension nor the probationary period will appear on the students’ academic transcripts,” Rosenbury said in the memo, her first communication to students since Thursday’s mass arrests.

Students on interim suspension lost access to most Barnard buildings, including their housing, but can still use services including health care, mental health counseling and academic support.

They are not permitted to be physically on campus, though Barnard professors can make accommodations for them to attend class via Zoom and otherwise complete work remotely.

“I strongly believe that exposure to uncomfortable ideas is a vital component of education, and I applaud the boldness of all of our students who speak out,” read the email, “but no student should fear for their safety while at Barnard, and no one should feel that they do not belong.”

Spokesmen for Barnard College did not return a request for comment.

The latest chapter in the ongoing tension over Gaza at Columbia began last week as Shafik readied for a congressional hearing on the university’s response to antisemitism. Meanwhile, students began occupying a lawn with dozens of tents, which they called the “Gaza Solidarity Encampment,” to demand the university divest from Israel and reverse all disciplinary measures over pro-Palestinian activity by students and faculty.

University administrators warned students to leave and began notifying them Thursday of suspensions. By the afternoon, Shafik called in the NYPD, which wore riot gear, to clear the lawn and arrest more than 100 students.

“I did lose my housing,” said Sarah Borus, a Jewish student at Barnard who was suspended and arrested with the pro-Palestinian protesters. “I was outside of my dorm, in fact, when I got the notice — so I was not able to return or get my things. I had to immediately find a place to stay.

“I am not allowed in any dining halls as well because, according to the email, I’m considered ‘disruptive to the safety and community of campus,’” she added.

Many similarly affected Barnard students were still weighing their options Tuesday. The memo said the offer would not be extended to those with previous notices of misconduct, and students vowed to respond together.

“We are carefully considering the offer and debating what our next steps will be,” said Soph Askanase, a Barnard junior who is also Jewish and — along with the daughter of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) — was among the initial group of three students to receive suspension notices last week.

“All of the suspended students are in communication together, and we firmly believe that we must act as a unified group.”

A broader coalition of student groups called Columbia University Apartheid Divest has been in negotiations since Friday night, students said — but so far there is no offer on the table.

The sweep appeared only to embolden the demonstrators who continued to camp out on the lawn while they chanted, hosted lectures, danced and held screenings over the last week.

On Monday night, students held a Passover Seder at the encampment, where they shared a meal and read from a special Haggadah, rewritten to advocate for Palestinians in Gaza.