Columbia University limits campus access as it braces for potential pro-Palestinian encampments

Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News on Apr 24, 2025

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

NEW YORK — Columbia University is cracking down on access to campus as it braces for the possible return of pro-Palestinian encampments, just over a year after the first tent demonstration was erected and sparked a national wave of campus protests, according to two school communications over 24 hours.

“We have been made aware of possible plans to establish encampments on Columbia’s campuses,” Columbia public safety wrote late Wednesday. “We want to clearly communicate that camping and encampments on Columbia’s campuses are prohibited by University Policy.”

“We value free expression and the right to protest. These activities must be conducted in accordance with University Rules and Policies to ensure the safety of our community and that academic and other campus activities can continue unimpeded.”

The emails to students and faculty followed a NBC News report on leaked Signal messages of plans to relaunch the encampment Thursday afternoon and Friday on Columbia’s main and Manhattanville campuses, respectively.

Columbia faces renewed pressure to act quickly to deter any wide-scale protests after the Trump administration canceled $400 million in federal grants and contracts, claiming the university was not doing enough to protect Jewish students from harassment.

School officials, including the newly appointed President Claire Shipman — co-chair of the Columbia trustees who is currently leading the university in an acting capacity — have been negotiating with federal agencies to recoup the funds, which were mostly going toward medical research.

Activists reportedly met earlier this week in Bushwick, Brooklyn. They used code words, according to NBC, such as the word “circus” to refer to the planned encampment.

In the initial memo, Columbia public safety indicated it would crack down swiftly on any encampment, including by removing the tents, restricting campus access and identifying participants. Protesters who refuse to disperse will face sanctions, public safety personnel said, such as arrests.

Public safety officials sent a second message on Thursday morning to suspend same-day guest registration and alumni access to Columbia. They said the only non-students and faculty who would be considered for entrance to campus were those “critical to the University’s academic mission,” such as for research purposes or classroom learning.

“Our focus is on protecting the safety of our community and ensuring that the University is able to proceed normally with all academic activities. We are closely monitoring, as always, for any disruptions, and campus activities are currently proceeding as usual,” read a statement from Columbia.