Columbia University has taken disciplinary action against almost 80 students who joined a pro-Palestinian protest inside the Butler Library during final exams in May.
The demonstration was organized to call for the university to withdraw investments from companies associated with the Israeli military, and to show support for Palestinians facing conflict and restrictions in Gaza.
The protest group, Columbia University Apartheid Divest, reported that dozens of students received penalties ranging from suspensions to permanent expulsions.
Some students have been suspended for up to three years, while others had their degrees revoked.
Participants in the protest had occupied the library during what is known as the “reading period,” a time when students prepare for exams.
The university responded by issuing disciplinary notices. Although it confirmed that expulsions, suspensions, and degree cancellations were carried out, it did not provide a specific number of those expelled.
According to the group, students were told they would need to write formal apology letters in order to return to campus.
Some of them have publicly declined to do so, stating that they will not apologize for participating in the protest.
This action by Columbia comes during a time of growing campus activism around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with similar demonstrations happening at other universities in the United States.
The university stated that the protest disrupted academic activities, which led to the decisions made by its Judicial Board.
The disciplinary move has sparked debate within and beyond the campus community, raising concerns about student rights, free expression, and how universities handle political protests.
The students involved say they were standing up for a cause they believe in, while the administration maintains that academic and institutional rules were broken.