by Mary Lou Masters
Columbia University President Nemat “Minouche” Shafik ordered classes to be held virtually on Monday following an unauthorized pro-Palestinian camp on campus behind schedule last week, calling for a “reset.”
Officers of the New York Police Department (NYPD). arrestedon direction Shafika, over 100 protesters on Thursday, they camped in tents on the Ivy League’s South Lawn of Morningside campus. President announced in a statement on Monday that classes would be conducted online to “defuse resentment and give us all a chance to consider next steps,” as a pro-Palestinian protest comes in it’s already the sixth day.
“I am deeply saddened by what is happening on our campus,” Shafik wrote. “Our bonds as a community have been severely tested and will take a lot of time and effort to reaffirm. Students from various communities have expressed concerns for their safety and we have announced additional actions we are taking to address safety concerns. The decibels of our disagreements have only increased in recent days. These tensions were exploited and amplified by individuals unrelated to Columbia who came to campus to further their own agendas. We need a reset.”
Live from Colombia: New York police in riot gear clear pro-Palestinian encampment and arrest students who refuse to leave. pic.twitter.com/Wrb3Sw1orT
— Rikki Schlott (@RIKKISCHLOTT) April 18, 2024
Shafik added that a coalition of deans, administration officials and faculty would work to bring a “resolution to the crisis” and sharply criticized anti-Semitism on campus.
“There have been too many examples of bullying and harassment on our campus in recent days,” Shafik said. “Anti-Semitic language, like any language used to hurt and intimidate people, is unacceptable and appropriate action will be taken. We urge those affected to report these incidents through university channels. We also want to remind everyone of the support available to those affected by current events.”
President he testified on Wednesday before the House Education Committee, where he faced questions from Republican lawmakers over her handling of anti-Semitism on campus following the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel.
House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik called calls on Shafik to resign on Sunday, arguing that the university should have a president “who will protect Jewish students and enforce school policies.”
“Over the last few months, and especially over the last 24 hours, Columbia leadership has clearly lost control of the campus, putting the safety of Jewish students at risk,” Stefanik wrote. “It is abundantly clear that Columbia University – previously a paragon of academic excellence founded by Alexander Hamilton – needs new leadership. President Shafik must resign immediately.”
President of the University of Pennsylvania Liz Magill and president of Harvard University Klaudyna Gay they both stepped down after that reaction to their congressional testimony about anti-Semitism on college campuses.
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Mary Lou Masters is a reporter for the Daily Caller News Foundation.
Photo “Pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel demonstration” by Rikki Schlott.
