Columbia University canceled all in-person classes Monday after anti-Israel protests inundated campus this weekend, erecting an encampment and resulting in the arrest of over 100 protesters.
Embattled President Minouche Shafik, who has vowed to crack down on antisemitism, told students in an email that was also shared to the Ivy League college’s website that they “need a reset” as the increasing level of conflict has caused safety concerns for many students.
Shafik said tensions across campus have been “exploited and amplified by individuals who are not affiliated with Columbia who have come to campus to pursue their own agendas.”
“I understand that many are experiencing deep moral distress and want Columbia to help alleviate this by taking action. We should be having serious conversations about how Columbia can contribute,” Shafik said.
Shafik acknowledged there will be many opinions on how the university can do this, but noted they could not “have one group dictate terms and attempt to disrupt important milestones like graduation to advance their point of view.”
Classes will be held virtually on Monday in attempts to deescalate the situation on campus, Shafik said.
Shafik said that a “working group of Deans, university administrators and faculty members will try to bring this crisis to a resolution” in the coming days.
“That includes continuing discussions with the student protestors and identifying actions we can take as a community to enable us to peacefully complete the term and return to respectful engagement with each other,” she said.
Shafik also encouraged students to report any incidents of intimidation or harassment they may now face on campus, noting “antisemitic language, like any other language that is used to hurt and frighten people, in unacceptable and appropriate action will be taken.”
“We are a caring, mature, thoughtful and engaged community. Let’s remind ourselves of our common values of honoring learning, mutual respect, and kindness that have been the bedrock of Columbia,” Shafik wrote.
“I hope everyone can take a deep breath, show compassion, and work together to rebuild the ties that bind us together.”
The campus — and others around the nation — have been hotbeds of antisemitic protests since Hamas terrorists pulled off a sneak attack on Israel on Oct. 7, with the Jewish state responding with a counter-offensive that has killed thousands in the Gaza Strip.
The show of blatant support for Hamas on American college campuses has rattled some students, particularly Jewish students.
On Sunday, a prominent rabbi at the prestigious school urged Columbia and Barnard students to stay home — and university officials told them they could take classes online.
