Columbia University to restrict access to campus in anticipation of protests
People protesting Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza hold their ground near a main gate at Columbia University in Manhattan on April 30. Credit: AP/Craig Ruttle
Columbia University will begin restricting access to its Morningside Heights campus Monday as it prepares for the return of students in September and more possible pro-Palestinian protests.
The university's chief operating officer, Cas Holloway, said in a letter to students and staff that only individuals with campus IDs and pre-authorized guests will be permitted on campus. He cited "reports of potential disruptions at Columbia and on college campuses across the country" for the increased security measure.
"We are particularly concerned about non-affiliates who may not have the best interests of the Columbia community in mind," Holloway wrote in the Friday letter. The fall semester begins Sept. 3.
A pro-Palestinian encampment began April 17 as protesters set up tents in the center of the campus in response to Israel’s offensive in Gaza after Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel on Oct. 7.
On April 30, hundreds of NYPD officers swarmed the campus to break up the encampment, which within two weeks had spread to include the occupation of Hamilton Hall, an academic building where more than 100 protesters were arrested, according to police.
The protests inspired encampments at Stony Brook University, where 29 people were charged with disorderly conduct May 1, and college campuses nationwide.
Suffolk County prosecutors agreed to drop the charges against Stony Brook protesters under conditions that included no additional arrests in the ensuing six months. More than 2,500 campus arrests were reported across the country during the protests.
Friday’s Columbia announcement followed the introduction last month of a color-coded system to restrict campus access based on security threat levels. The campus will move to an orange threat level Monday. If it were to move to a red status, the campus would be limited to residents and essential staff. Columbia is open to all at the less restrictive yellow and green levels.
Holloway said the security restrictions for the fall semester were designed to maintain safety on campus and preserve the Ivy League institution’s "academic mission."
Identification will be checked at each of five campus entry points along 116th, 114th and 120th streets. Visitors will need to submit a guest registration form for approval before arriving on campus, Holloway noted.
"We recognize that this change may cause some inconvenience, and we appreciate your understanding," he wrote.
With AP
Grant Parpan covers Suffolk County courts and federal courts for Newsday. A Long Island native, he joined Newsday in 2022.
