Protests, demonstrations, and responses from the community and officials continue as the eighth day of the Encampment begins. Most recently, Columbia and student organizers have been in negotiations.

Update made on Thursday, April 24 at 12:31 am: Encampment general assembly

At 11 pm, student protesters gathered at the center of the Gaza Solidarity Encampment for another general assembly meeting. Organizers started the meeting by reinstating the community guidelines which were posted on a board located at the center of the Encampment. 

The Palestinian student committee’s guidelines included the centering of Palestinian voices in collective efforts, the need to move with “care and intention rather than urgency,” and to present Palestine with “love and reverence.”

Student organizers proposed allowing politicians to be able to enter the Encampment physically, with the stipulation that they may not speak or campaign as CUAD will never endorse any politician. They argued that they can’t prevent people from entering the space and that attempting to do so would counteract political demonstrations as well as allow them to make a case for discrimination. This same argument, they claimed, applies to everyone, not only politicians. After negotiations between attendants and a subsequent vote, this proposal was passed with a simple majority. An addendum that visiting politicians may not post on social media while inside the Encampment was also passed with a majority vote. Less than five protesters voted against the original proposal as well as the addendum. Moreover, an addendum that politicians can make speeches but can’t campaign fails by a large margin. By the end of the assembly, this addendum was adjusted in favor of social media. They agreed on allowing politicians to post since critics would post against them regardless, so any support is important.

A negotiator then updated on the ongoing discussions with the University, highlighting the 48-hour agreement to not call on law enforcement, which they referred to as “a huge victory.” Nonetheless, they also claimed that the University has not been acting “in good faith” by threatening to use violence and “water[ing] down” their demands despite meetings occurring twice daily with administration members. The negotiator informed that the University has tried to offer an alternative space for the Encampment because they need West Butler Lawn for Commencement, happening May 15. In turn, they said that CUAD negotiators are refusing to move forward until “meaningful promises” are offered. 

Based on their analysis, negotiators believe it is “incredibly unlikely that we will have law enforcement on us any time soon.” They are requesting the 48-hour time to begin only when the University meets them at the negotiating table as thus far, they have only offered “silly concessions” that they have not agreed to because the University has refused to meet demands. It is clear, they state, that the University only wants the space, which CUAD will only agree to leave once divestment is achieved, which is their ultimate goal. Another of their goals is amnesty to students, including those from last semester and professors who got into trouble, but they will not vacate West Butler lawns until the goal of divestment is met. 

The organizers then apologized for yesterday night’s events, stating that the chaos was a product of miscommunication. They claimed that the plan was not to take down tents because of alleged police arrival but rather to reconfigure the layout for disability access. They stated that the moving of the tents amid threats of police arrival created unnecessary panic. In the case of credible threats, they will present contingency plans, and they emphasized the need to “question the source of information” in future instances. 

The organizers went on to say that it is not a matter of persuading the University, but a matter of leverage, citing CUAD’s occupation of West Butler lawns and the number of people present at the camp. “They are afraid of you,” the organizer leading the meeting told the crowd. 

After an hour, the assembly was voted closed.

Update made on Wednesday, April 24 at 11:25 pm: Columbia and Barnard faculty and graduate student response

Columbia and Barnard Political Science Department faculty and graduate students signed a letter condemning President Shafik and supporting student protesters. The letter has over 60 signatories.

Update made on Wednesday, April 24 at 9:38 pm: Gavin McInnes on campus

Bwog inquired Public Safety about Gavin McInnes’ presence on campus. An officer stated that no one had reported him today and that he had no knowledge about his visit. The officer said, “It is a concern to us.” Bwog reached out to Public Safety via email to inquire more information.

Update made on Wednesday, April 24 at 9:16 pm: Board of Trustees statement

The Columbia Board of Trustees has released a statement in support of President Shafik, as reported on the Washington Post. The Board stated, “The Columbia University Board of Trustees strongly supports President Shafik as she steers the university through this extraordinarily challenging time.”

The Washington Post reported that the Board of Trustees cited Shafik’s ability to “balanc[e] the disparate voices that make up a vibrant campus like Columbia’s, while taking a firm stance against hatred, harassment, and discrimination. That’s exactly what she’s doing now.”

Update made on Wednesday, April 24 at 8:28 pm: 116th and Broadway protest

A group of protesters is gathered on 116th and Broadway. The NYPD stated to the group, “If you do not disperse, you will be arrested.” After this statement, protesters began dispersing.

Update made on Wednesday, April 24 at 7:34 pm: Barnard tours

In an email sent to Barnard Student Admissions Representatives (BSARs), it was announced that all regular Barnard campus tours will be cancelled “through graduation.”

Update made on Wednesday, April 24 at 7:03 pm: Ben Chang press briefing

At 5 pm on Wednesday, April 24, Columbia spokesperson Ben Chang gave a media press briefing on the events of the past day. He reiterated portions of President Shafik’s Tuesday email and this morning’s campus update. Chang acknowledged today’s press conference held by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, stating that President Shafik met with congressional representatives before it began. According to Chang, “the President shares the representatives’ focus on and commitment to the safety and security of all members of the campus community.”

Chang also addressed the ongoing rumor that the University had reportedly threatened to bring the National Guard to quell protests. “Let me be clear,” Chang said. “That is untrue and an unsubstantiated claim.” He called the rumors “baseless,” remarking that neither statements mentioned referenced the NYPD or the National Guard. “I would refer you to… the statement as to what our focus is on,” he said. “Our goal is to restore order, and if we can get there through dialogue, we will.”

Chang affirmed that CUID-only access to campus will continue until the situation is resolved. He also acknowledged that there have been “acts of vandalism” on campus and “reports of harassment and discrimination” this past week. In conclusion, Chang declared that the current protest violates University rules “full stop.”

Update made on Wednesday, April 24 at 6:29 pm: SEAS policies

Columbia School of Engineering has instituted new academic policies for the rest of the Spring 2024 semester. Students are now able to declare any class Pass/D/Fail and allow it to count for credit. The deadline to declare the class is April 29. Read more here.

Update made on Wednesday, April 24 at 5:10 pm: Encampment press conference

On Wednesday afternoon, Columbia University Apartheid Divest organized a press conference where Encampment organizers answered questions from the press about the past days’ protests and further plans regarding negotiations with the University administration. Read more here.

Update made on Wednesday, April 24 at 3:37 pm: Open letter in support of Mohamed Abdou

Scholars, citizens, and students from around the world have signed a letter in support of Mohamed Abdou, an Arcapita Visiting Assistant Professor at Columbia University. The letter states that Abdou has been targeted and attacked for “his outspoken support for Palestinian liberation,” particularly “from right-wing outlets” and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik during last Wednesday’s congressional hearing. The letter stated that Stefanik had pushed for Abdou to be “punished” for his statements regarding “well-documented falsehoods about the October 7 attacks.” It condemned her characterization of Abdou on Twitter, stating Stefanik “took [Abdou’s] statements out of context” and “presented him as a supporter of terrorism.” 

The statement pointed to one exchange from the hearing, in which Columbia President Minouche Shafik stated that Abdou would “never work at Columbia again.” The statement noted that Abdou’s “case presents a litmus test” regarding academic freedom, specifically pertaining to questions of how a “professor’s (misrepresented) political statements outside the classroom are grounds for termination.” The statement noted that Stefanik’s calls for punitive action against Abdou were “chilling,” and “infringe[d] on the academic freedoms that are the hallmarks of the western liberal academy,” further remarking that the Congresswoman’s language was part of a “pattern” delineating “those who advocate for Palestinian liberation as violent terrorists.” The letter criticized “statements that seek to redefine the Arabic word, intifada (which means uprising) as violence” and “attempts to label the keffiyeh as a symbol of terrorism,” stating that such action is “​​rooted in Orientalist ideology.” 

The letter then went on to describe Abdou’s ongoing academic work “in the social justice and anti-authoritarian framework of Islam,” emphasizing his past criticism of terrorist groups, and their concerns for both Abdou’s and academia’s future. The letter stated that to “brand [Abdou’s] radical vision of inclusion and decolonialism as support for terrorism is clear racism and Islamophobia.” They described the position Abdou was now in as part of “a well-documented pattern of exiling faculty who are critical of Israel,” citing an event in 2015 involving Steven Salaita, and further denounced Stefanik’s “out of context” claims about Abdou. The signatories asserted they “cannot allow the careers of academics to be decided based on attention-grading news clips and McCarthy-esque panels demanding allegiance to a demonstrably false narrative,” expressing concern that the “targeting of Prof. Abdou is part of a pattern to silence and punish all those who speak for justice and Palestinian liberation.”

In the statement’s conclusion, the undersigned noted the “urgency” with which they stood by Abdou “who continues to have his work, name, and reputation besmirched, while his future job prospects may be in question” due to what the letter called “malicious misrepresentations of his words by right-wing outlets and politicians.” Stating that Abdou is “a beloved professor to his students, and a valuable member of the scholarly and activist communities,” the statement concluded that his contributions to academia have “enriched our understanding of liberation and anti-authoritarianism.”

Update made on Wednesday, April 24 at 3:37 pm: Resignation Barnard Admissions’ Graduate Admissions Assistant

At 2:50 pm, Barnard Admissions’ Graduate Admissions Assistant Aydan Shahdadpuri announced to admissions office employees that they are resigning from their role due to “Barnard evicting and suspending students for their participation in the Gaza Solidarity Encampment, of Columbia’s use of police force to arrest hundreds of students, and of both institutions’ continued investment in genocide in Palestine.”

“All 53 of the students who have been suspended and evicted by Barnard College are students we—in our office—have admitted,” Shahdadpuri stated, attesting that they were admitted due to their good fits for the College. “The College has failed these students and failed its mission appallingly, violently,” they stated.

Their decision follows the recent resignations of three Head Barnard Student Admissions Representatives (HBSARs), announced on SJP’s Instagram via an email screenshot on April 21.

Update made on Wednesday, April 24 at 3:15 pm: Worldwide university faculty’s letter demanding Columbia/Barnard boycott 

University faculty from around the world have signed a letter announcing the initiation of an “academic and cultural boycott” of Columbia University and Barnard College until demands to revoke student suspensions and remove police presence from campus are met.

The letter condemned actions taken by Columbia, particularly the utilization of the NYPD to arrest students. They were “appalled” by the subsequent suspension of students and as well as the decision to “evict Barnard students from their student housing.” The statement further called Columbia’s characterization of events “ludicrous,” rejecting the administration’s claims that it was “forced to call in the NYPD” to respond to student protesters. They then questioned the validity of Columbia as an institution of education, indicating that “if a university would rather arrest its own students than listen to their demands… rather imitate the military tactics of a state that has destroyed every university in Gaza… rather than divest… then is it still a university?” The statement then denounced Columbia’s actions towards student protesters, describing them as “an embarrassing attempt to appease donors, trustees, and members of Congress.” 

Three demands were outlined in the letter. The first was to “expunge all suspensions and charges from protesting,” restoring students’ records and privileges. The second calls for the removal of police presence from campus and to end the “targeted repression of students involved in anti-genocide protesting.” As their final demand, the undersigned faculty requested the resignation of Columbia President Minouche Shafik and Barnard President Laura Rosenbury. 

Until these demands are met, the undersigned faculty promised to disengage with University-sponsored events and collaborations with University faculty holding positions within the administration. Additionally, some signatories “may further engage in common sense boycotts of faculty independently of their administrative role based on faculty members’ particular complicity with Columbia and Barnard’s repression” on an individual basis.

The signatories conclude the letter by reiterating their endorsement of the demands of the Gaza Solidarity Encampment, standing with “the brave students, clerical staff, graduate workers, post-doctoral workers, and faculty at Columbia, Barnard, and Teacher’s College resisting genocide, from Gaza, from Palestine to Morningside Heights.”

The current list of signatories on the Columbia/Barnard Boycott extends about 53 pages. Notable signatories include Marc Lamont Hill, who spoke at the Encampment on April 23 and recently declined a prestigious University award, and Mohamed Abdou, who was criticized by Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY) at the April 17 congressional hearing on antisemitism. 

Update made on Wednesday, April 24 at 3:14 pm: Proud Boys founder on campus

At 3 pm, Gavin McInnes, the founder of the far-right militant organization the Proud Boys, was spotted on campus. McInnes is present around the Butler Lawn area.

Update made on Wednesday, April 24 at 1:40 pm: SJP press release on University negotiations

Columbia SJP posted a press release to X at 12:15 pm on April 24, stating that at 4 am, the University committed to extend negotiations with the Encampment’s organizers for another 48 hours. They claimed that “the University’s previous threats of an imminent sweep by the NYPD or the National Guard” severed negotiations last night, leading hundreds of students to flood campus in support of the Encampment. SJP states that this showed “the intersectionality and wide popularity of [their] protest.”

According to the statement, student negotiators refused to stay at the table after this reported threat of escalation. “Columbia’s reliance on the threat of state violence against peaceful protesters has created an unstable ground for the negotiations process,” they wrote. They also mentioned that this threat follows “two days of interfaith celebrations,” which have included a Passover Seder and daily Muslim congregational prayers.

Ultimately, the group fears that “Columbia is risking a second Jackson State or Kent State massacre,” as both were violent events that occurred after the National Guard was called on student protesters.

At the end of the statement, it was announced that a press briefing will be held at 2:30 pm on Wednesday, April 24 outside of Butler Library. At this time, protest participants will answer questions from press.

Update made on Wednesday, April 24 at 12:09 pm: Encampment general assembly

The Gaza Solidarity Encampment held a general assembly this morning, reviewing updates from Palestine and Columbia.

The organizers addressed the group, reiterating its purpose, “We are a movement for Palestinian liberation… The axes of terror, the axes of genocide, they grow weaker despite the millions and millions of dollars that are spent.” They stated that “yesterday was 200th day of genocide” and it that it has been “100 years of resistance.” Organizers affirmed that “Palestine is [their] compass.”

The organizers continued, stating that they have in writing that the Encampment will not move for 48 hours. “We are committed to staying here and having people stay here,” they said. Organizers stated that safety is a priority and that negotiation and sweep updates will be communicated to Encampment members every night.

Encampment organizers stated that they “value and respect democratic decision making.” They added that press will not be present in the Encampment, with a select amount of journalists allowed in from 2 pm to 5 pm. Organizers asked listeners not to speak to the press, stating, “We don’t owe them anything.”

The Encampment will have speakers throughout the day to talk about protests on campus and rearrange the area to make it more accessible. Following this meeting, the Encampment began redesigning their space.

Update made on Wednesday, April 24 at 9:40 am:

Wednesday morning arrest

The NYPD confirmed to Bwog that one person was arrested in the early morning in a demonstration outside of the Columbia gates.

Campus activity

The Encampment remains, and there is little activity as of now. A smaller demonstration continues outside of the Columbia gates.

Update made on Wednesday, April 24 at 9:34 am: Provost Olinto’s announcement on virtual option for exams

Columbia Provost Angela V Olinto sent an email to the Columbia community this morning describing new guidelines for the final exams and assessments at the end of the semester. According to the email, “all final course assessments” including exams, presentations, and projects, “must include a remote option for students who have requested support for virtual assessment.”

The email offers a number of options that faculty can consider for their final assessments, including assigning a take-home exam rather than an in-person one, offering both remote and in-person options during the scheduled exam time, or offering a fully remote exam using remote proctoring software like the “Secure Exam Proctor” function in Courseworks.

Meanwhile, students who qualify for disability accommodations will receive additional communication from the Disability Services office advising them on final assessments.

Email sent from Provost Angela V Olinto to Columbia students at 8:22 am:

Dear members of the Columbia community,

We are writing to provide updates regarding guidelines for the final exams and assessments at the end of the semester. As we mentioned earlier this week, safety is our highest priority as we strive to support our students’ learning and all the required academic operations.

In order to address the concerns of our members in an evolving campus environment, all final course assessments (e.g., exams, presentations, projects) on the Morningside campus (with the carveouts listed at the end) must include a remote option for students who have requested support for virtual assessment. Faculty and other instructors of record should therefore make preparations for their final exams to provide a remote option.

There are a number of options faculty and instructors of record may consider, such as (i) substituting a take-home exam for an in-class exam, (ii) offering both in-person and remote testing during the scheduled exam, or (iii) offering a fully remote option at the scheduled time. Remote proctoring options include software solutions (such as “Secure Exam Proctor” in CourseWorks), opening a Zoom room for remote students within CourseWorks (“Zoom Class Sessions”), or enlisting a remote proctor to physically administer the exam on your behalf.

Students who qualify for disability accommodations via Disability Services will be advised by that office, and colleagues from Disability Services may reach out to coordinate final assessments with faculty and instructors.

Colleagues in the Columbia Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) are prepared to consult with instructors about the possible ways of adjusting course assessments. Faculty may attend CTL Zoom “office hours” Monday-Friday from 9:00AM-5:00PM (drop-in—no appointment necessary), or make an appointment by writing to CTLFaculty@columbia.edu. The CTL also offers online resources that provide guidance in creating online course assessments:

Additional resources are available from CUIT:

Separate Considerations:

Arts/Practice-based programs: If a class does not permit adapting to the remote assessment format, we encourage faculty to provide other accommodations generously to students who have requested support for virtual assessment.

Medical Center and Manhattanville: Normal final assessment arrangements as scheduled, but granting accommodations based on religious reasons, or approved disability accommodations.

We know this is a challenging time on many fronts, but the safety and well-being of our students and community is paramount. We are grateful for all of your efforts and understanding.

Angela V. Olinto
Provost
Professor of Astronomy and of Physics

Update made on Wednesday, April 24 at 3:19 am: Progress on University and student negotiations

A University spokesperson has informed Bwog that they are “making important progress” with representatives at the Gaza Solidarity Encampment, in response to our earlier communications inquiring about the status of negotiations with Encampment representatives. The University representative indicated that they will remain in conversations with student organizers for the next 48 hours.

The spokesperson reported four major agreements between the University and the protesters, including the deconstruction and removal of a “significant number of tents.” In addition, the spokesperson told Bwog that protest organizers have agreed to “ensure that [demonstrators] not affiliated with Columbia will leave,” so that only Columbia students will remain in the Encampment. They have also agreed to adhere to all fire department requirements “with respect to activities and safety.” Lastly, the spokesperson responded that protesters have “taken steps” toward “mak[ing] the encampment welcome to all and have prohibited discriminatory or harassing language.”

We cannot confirm how many people in the Encampment are not students. It is also not immediately clear what kind of language the students have agreed to prohibit.

This update follows a statement from SJP indicating that negotiations between the University and CUAD has ceased. Bwog will continue to update this story.

Update made on Wednesday, April 24 at 2:18 am: Student council statements

Three undergraduate student councils made a collaborative post on Instagram and attached a statement condemning “further arrests of peaceful protesters” at the Encampment. They stated that they are “doing everything in [their] power” to protect students’ rights to protest, and called on all members of the Columbia community to “come out to the lawns to protect their students over the next two days.” Three presidents—those for CCSC, GSSC, and SGA— signed their names at the end of the statement. Although the post indicated that all presidents contributed to the statement, the ESC president’s name was not listed in the signature.

ESC later posted a statement to their Instagram account, stating that they “wanted to hold a bit” on issuing the statement so that the executive board could “act as a united front.” They stated they also oppose more arrests and called on faculty, staff, and students to go to the Encampment during the upcoming two days “as the situation unfolds.”

Update made on Wednesday, April 24 at 1:59 am: SJP statement on alleged threats of National Guard deployment

Columbia SJP posted a statement on their Instagram claiming that Columbia threatened to deploy the National Guard to remove the Encampment. 

The student team has left negotiations in response, stating that “good faith” talks are “impossible if one side threatens the use of force to extract concessions” and that they will not return until the University presents a “written commitment” indicating that they will not call the NYPD or the National Guard.

SJP referenced times when National Guard intervention has been violent or deadly, such as in Ferguson during the Black Lives Matter protests and the student deaths at Kent State during the Vietnam War and admonished the University for the reported threat due to the presence of “Black, brown, and Jewish students who are at serious risk for police violence.”

They also rejected the University’s goal of “returning to business as usual,” stating that CUAD negotiators “refuse to accept Columbia’s complicity in genocide.”

SJP concluded that they will not “concede to cowardly threats and blatant intimidation” from the University that “continuously acts in bad faith and repeatedly neglects the safety of its students.”

Update made on Wednesday, April 24 at 1:32 am:

116th & Broadway protest

Police officers are moving from the Barnard side of 116th & Broadway toward the main Columbia gates. They are lining up on the sidewalk and do not have cameras turned on. ACLU monitors are on the scene.

Police officers are now speaking on loudspeakers at the protest outside of 116th & Broadway: “This is the New York City Police Department. We have directed you to not move the barriers… Any altering or moving at the barriers will earn yourself arrest at this time. You’re making unreasonable noise.”

Protesters quieted some after this announcement but still chant, “The people united will never be defeated.” Shortly after, they went back to using noisemakers, and a speaker stated that they are present in “solidary” with Columbia student protesters and “brothers and sisters in Gaza.”

The protesters are now louder, saying, “We’re not backing down” and “The more they try to silence us, the louder we will be.” They are also chanting, “One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10, 11, fuck 12” and, “There’s no fucking riot here, why are you in riot gear?”

The demonstration still continues, and the SRG unit is still present.

Gaza Solidarity Encampment update

Organizers have coordinated the re-pitching of tents informed outside student observers and supporters to return to the Encampment site at 7:30 am.

Update made on Wednesday, April 24 at 1:04 am: 116th & Broadway protest

Around 12:45 am, NYPD officers in riot gear were spotted outside of the Columbia gates on 116th and Broadway. The NYPD began moving protesters into a line. Protesters chanted “Oink oink piggy piggy, we gon’ make your life shitty.” Strategic Response Group (SRG) units of the NYPD subsequently arrived at the scene. Protesters chanted, “No justice, no peace” and used noisemakers and bells. Vans began pushing forward, leaving the area and moving toward the Earl Hall gates.

Update made on Wednesday, April 24 at 12:56 am: Encampment protest

Following the announcement that the University’s deadline for reaching an agreement with protesters has reportedly been extended to 8 am, protesters began moving sleeping supplies back onto the West Lawn, food and water in front of Pulitzer Hall, and all other supplies onto the Journalism Lawn in front of Furnald. They also established a lost and found section for any displaced items.

Encampment protesters were told by organizers to circle up. Organizers apologized for the “confusion” and iterated that there was “no need for alarm” or “panic.” Green and yellow role protesters were asked to message chats and ask those who took items from the Encampment to bring back items. Red role protesters were asked to remain in the Encampment and help re-pitch tents. Organizers warned that the Encampment was currently at “high risk of infiltration,” and protesters who were on security shifts should return to their posts. Organizers then told protesters that “there is no sweep” and stated that “we will rebuild and we will keep our focus on Palestine.”

Around 12:45 am, police in riot gear were spotted outside of the Columbia gates on 116th and Broadway. The NYPD began moving protesters into a line.

Update made on Wednesday, April 24 at 12:38 am: Palestinian Youth Movement

At 12:10 am on April 24, the Palestinian Youth Movement posted a statement on their Instagram in response to alleged reports that Columbia threatened to deploy the National Guard at the Encampment. They referenced the historic deployment of the National Guard at Kent State 54 years ago and stated that “[i]t is the height of irony that Columbia University administration officials are echoing the calls of extreme right-wing republicans (sic) in Congress.” They ended by stating that the “people all over the United States and indeed around the world salute the heroic stand taken by Columbia students… that are demanding liberation for the Palestinian people.”

Update made on Wednesday, April 24 at 12:23 am: Agreement deadline

A spokesperson from the University has told Bwog that they have no comment regarding the report that the agreement deadline has been extended until 8 am.

Update made on Wednesday, April 24 at 12:14 am: Encampment

“Our movement is no longer a student movement, it is a mass movement,” organizers said. They told protesters that “we are entering a period of high alert for the next three days” and that they “might need people to turn up quickly, en masse in front of the Encampment, to protect the Encampment.”

Red role protesters held a meeting. One protester stated, “We are leading the student movement for Palestine in New York City.” Red role protesters also stated, “It’s us versus the federal government and we’re going to fucking win,” and, “We just have the likelihood that this attestation will be more violent than the one you witnessed last week.”

Protesters began clearing food, medical supplies, and other items from the Encampment, reportedly collecting them for imminent jail support. Protesters were also advised to write down important phone numbers. At around 11:40 pm, students began disassembling and taking tents out of West Butler Lawn, as well as removing any signs. Protesters told others that did not want to be arrested to “get the fuck out [of the West Lawn].”

The yellow role broke up in groups of 20-30 protesters, called “platoons.” Organizers told yellow role protesters that a sweep would allegedly begin tonight and continue for 48 hours, until Thursday, April 25, and that if they feel uncomfortable, they could leave at any time. “No one is keeping you here,” they said. Other protesters outside of the West Lawn circled around the fence.

At midnight on Wednesday, April 24, organizers announced that the University’s deadline for reaching an agreement with protesters has reportedly been extended to 8 am on April 24. No official communication from the University has been released at this time. Protesters began moving tents back to the West Lawn upon the announcement. Bwog has reached out to Columbia for confirmation.

Update made on Wednesday, April 24 at 12:05 am: President Rosenbury Statement

At 11:56 pm, Barnard President Laura Rosenbury sent out an announcement to Barnard students regarding the Encampment. She forwarded students President Minouche Shafik’s email, stating that she “reiterate[s her] strong respect for the right to demonstrater.” Rosenbury stated, “I strongly encourage any members of the Barnard community to cooperate immediately with any requests to leave unauthorized gatherings on the Columbia campus.”

Email sent from President Laura Rosenbury to Barnard students at 11:56 pm:

Dear Members of the Barnard Community,

President Shafik shared the message below with students, faculty, and staff at Columbia earlier tonight. I want to make sure the Barnard community sees it as well.

I reiterate my strong respect for the right to demonstrate, but we must also ensure our community is a safe and welcoming place for all. In support of that principle, I strongly encourage any members of the Barnard community to cooperate immediately with any requests to leave unauthorized gatherings on the Columbia campus.

As I said yesterday, we must all take care of one another and our community.

Laura Rosenbury

Photos via Bwog Staff