Columbia Orders Protesting Students to Leave Encampment or Face Suspension, Possible Expulsion

Columbia University has warned students protesting against Israel’s military operation in Gaza to leave their tent encampment by 2 p.m. on April 29 or face suspension, according to a letter sent to students.

The letter, entitled “Notice To Encampment,” said that talks between university officials and student leaders of the encampment are at an impasse and the unauthorized encampment and associated disruption to the campus is creating an “unwelcoming environment” and violates a number of policies, including around disruptive behavior and harassment.

Officials said in the letter that Columbia University would provide an alternative venue for demonstrations after the exam period is finished. They added that, if the encampment is not removed, officials will initiate disciplinary procedures against students involved in the encampment, starting with suspension but possibly even leading to expulsion.

“Please promptly gather your belongings and leave the encampment,“ the letter reads. ”If you voluntarily leave by 2 p.m., identify yourself to a University officials, and sign the provided form where you commit to abide by all University policies through June 30, 2025, or the date of the conferral of your degree, whichever is earlier, you will be eligible to complete the semester in good standing (and will not be placed on suspension) as long as you adhere to that commitment.”

Officials said they hope the protesting students will sign the form and leave the encampment by the deadline. Those who refuse to leave and sign the form promising to comply with the school’s policies and agreeing to be put under a period of disciplinary probation, may face a range of actions.

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“Sanctions include probation, access restriction, suspension for a term or more and expulsion,” the letter reads.

It’s unclear what other actions the school may take with respect to the encampment if student protesters refuse to leave by the 2 p.m. deadline. Last week, two deadlines Columbia imposed on protesters to remove their tents slipped without an agreement, with officials citing progress in talks.

A Columbia University spokesperson declined comment.

Ms. Shafik has faced an outcry from many students, faculty, and outside observers for summoning New York City police to take down the unauthorized encampment, resulting in more than 100 arrests.

Protesters have vowed to keep their encampment unless three demands are met: divestment from Israel, transparency in Columbia’s finances, and amnesty for students and staff disciplined for taking part in the protests.

Ms. Shafik said in her Monday statement that Columbia would not divest from Israel but that the university has offered to publish a process for students to access a list of its direct investment holdings, in the interest of transparency. Columbia has also offered to make investments in health and education in Gaza. And the letter sent to protesters promises an amnesty of sorts.

She said that the campus has been roiled by divisions over the war in Gaza and, despite the fact that the school has provided space for protests and vigils that did not disrupt academic life, the encampment has gone too far.

“We must take into account the rights of all members of our community,” she wrote. “The encampment has created an unwelcoming environment for many of our Jewish students and faculty. External actors have contributed to creating a hostile environment in violation of Title VI, especially around our gates, that is unsafe for everyone—including our neighbors.”

“With classes now concluding, it represents a noisy distraction for our students studying for exams and for everyone trying to complete the academic year,” she continued, adding that Columbia would allow protests to continue on campus—by application with two-days’ notice in authorized locations—after the exam period and commencement.

“We have no intention of suppressing speech or the right to peaceful protest,” Ms. Shafik wrote, adding that the protesting students had been asked to commit to following the university’s rules, including those on the time, place, and manner of demonstrations.

“We urge those in the encampment to voluntarily disperse,” she added.

It comes as a group of 21 House Democrats criticized the “anti-Israel, anti-Jewish” encampment at Columbia in an April 29 letter to the school’s trustees.

“As a result of this disruption on campus, supported by some faculty members, many students have been prevented from safely attending class, the main library, and from leaving their dorm rooms in an apparent violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.”

The group, led by Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), is different from calls condemning the protests that have mostly come from GOP leaders. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Republican colleagues visited the campus last week and called for Ms. Shafik to resign.

Chase Smith contributed to this report.