Columbia University has taken stringent action against students involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations, announcing expulsions, suspensions, and degree revocations for those who occupied Hamilton Hall in April 2024. The decision, made public on Thursday, marks one of the most significant disciplinary measures in the wake of nationwide campus protests against Israel’s war on Gaza.
Columbia’s Disciplinary Actions
According to the university’s statement, punishments were determined based on the “severity of behavior at these events” and any prior infractions. While the exact number of students affected remains undisclosed, Columbia confirmed that multiple-year suspensions and outright expulsions have been enforced. Additionally, students who had already graduated will see their degrees revoked.
The university’s University Judicial Board (UJB) conducted investigations over several months, holding hearings for each accused student. Columbia reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing institutional rules and disciplinary policies.
Federal Funding Cuts and Government Pressure
The crackdown follows increasing pressure from the U.S. government, which on March 7 announced a $400 million cut in federal grants to Columbia, citing a failure to protect Jewish students from antisemitic harassment. This move was part of a broader federal response, with the Department of Education sending notices to 60 universities—including Harvard and Princeton—warning of potential legal consequences if they failed to “protect Jewish students” under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated that antisemitic incidents had “severely disrupted campus life for more than a year,” emphasizing that university leaders must take stronger action. The White House reinforced its stance on social media, confirming that Columbia’s federal funding had been rescinded due to its handling of campus demonstrations.
Student Reactions and Growing Concerns
The disciplinary measures have ignited backlash among students, faculty, and civil rights groups. Columbia’s student-led Workers Union accused the university of failing to stand up for its community, particularly non-citizen students who fear retaliation for their activism. The university’s journalism school also warned international students to be cautious about their social media presence, with Dean Jelani Cobb advising, “Nobody can protect you… these are dangerous times.”
Columbia historian Eraldo Souza dos Santos criticized the administration, arguing that the university has become complicit in criminalizing dissent rather than upholding academic freedom. “History shows that a university that does not advocate for the academic freedom of its own members is opening itself to further attacks on academic freedom in the future,” he said.
The Mahmoud Khalil Case
The disciplinary actions coincide with the arrest and detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian Columbia graduate student and activist, by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Khalil, a permanent U.S. resident married to a U.S. citizen, was taken into custody on March 11. His legal team argues that he now faces deportation as part of a broader government crackdown on pro-Palestinian activists.
Trump, posting on Truth Social, celebrated Khalil’s arrest as “the first of many,” while Republicans in Congress have pressured Columbia to release student protest records or face further financial penalties.
Ongoing Protests and Legal Challenges
In response to Khalil’s detention, demonstrators flooded Trump Tower in New York with banners reading “Free Mahmoud,” leading to multiple arrests. Meanwhile, Khalil and seven other students have filed a lawsuit in federal court to block Congress from obtaining their disciplinary records, citing violations of privacy and free speech rights.
As tensions escalate, Columbia’s response to student activism will likely remain under intense scrutiny. The university faces a challenging balancing act—navigating federal pressure while maintaining its reputation as a bastion of academic freedom. Whether the disciplinary actions serve as a deterrent or fuel further resistance remains to be seen.
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U.S. Judge Halts Deportation of Palestinian Columbia Student Amid Free Speech Concerns
Mahmoud Khalil Arrested by Trump Administration for Pro-Palestine Activism at Columbia University
Trump Administration Bans Hundreds of Diversity and Inclusion Terms from Federal Records
