Columbia University Drops Hammer On Anti-Israel Demonstrators A Year After ‘Disruptions’

Columbia University reportedly punished at least 70 students who participated in campus-wide protests in the spring of 2024 and the takeover of a campus library in May 2025.

The majority of students facing disciplinary action will be suspended from the university for one to three years, with some facing expulsion, sources familiar with talks at Columbia told the New York Post. Around 80 students were arrested at the time of the disruptive takeover, which occurred during the university’s finals week, and other demonstrations at the university resulted in hundreds more arrests following violent clashes with police.

“Our institution must focus on delivering on its academic mission for our community. And to create a thriving academic community, there must be respect for each other and the institution’s fundamental work, policies, and rules,” Columbia wrote in an announcement of the actions. “Disruptions to academic activities are in violation of University policies and Rules, and such violations will necessarily generate consequences.”

The university’s Tuesday statement praised itself for “The speed with which” its Judicial Board “has offered an equitable resolution” and said it “is a testament to the hard work of this institution to improve its processes.”

A Columbia spokesman referred the