In a statement posted to the Columbia website and sent to students at 1:14 am, President Minouche Shafik announced that all Columbia classes will be virtual on Monday, April 22.

On Monday, April 22 at 1:14 am, Columbia students received an email from President Minouche Shafik in which she stated that all classes will be virtual on Monday, April 22. She began the message by stating that she is “deeply saddened” by the recent events on Columbia’s campus and noting that the “bonds as a community have been tested.”

She continued by stating that the “decibels of disagreements” increased in recent days with “tensions hav[ing] been exploited and amplified by individuals who are not affiliated with Columbia who have come to campus to pursue their own agendas.” She followed by remarking, “We need a reset.” 

President Shafik announced that all classes for Monday will be virtual to “deescalate the rancor and give us all a chance to consider next steps,” adding that “all faculty and staff who can work remotely should do so.” Essential personnel will continue to report to work. She also noted the University’s preference that “students who do not live on campus will not come to campus.”

Shafik also mentioned that in the coming days, University admin and faculty will be working towards a “resolution,” by discussing with student protestors and finding ways the community can “peacefully complete the term.” She also expressed her willingness to discuss debates regarding police presence on campus, but overall believes that “better adherence” to rules would eliminate the “need” for the action. 

Shafik concluded the letter by condemning Antisemitic language, citing the “intimidating and harassing behavior” that has occurred on campus over the past few days. She encouraged students affected by these events to report incidents “through University channels” and to seek campus support.

Lastly, she shared her hope that “everyone can take a deep breath, show compassion, and work together to rebuild the ties that bind us together,” in response to the events of the past week.

Update made on Monday, April 22 at 9:27 am:

Barnard will also implement virtual instruction on Monday, April 22, according to an email sent to Barnard students at 6:37 am on Monday. The email, sent by Kelly Murray, the EVP for Strategy and the Chief Administrative Officer at Barnard, detailed that all offices will remain open, but some will do so in a remote capacity. Dining, library, housing, and health services will operate as normal. Students will also have access to Facilities and CARES. The email can be found in its entirety below.

Update made on Monday, April 22 at 2:22 am:

Bwog has reached out out to Barnard Comms to inquire about the status of instruction for Barnard students on Monday.

Email from President Shafik to students on Monday, at 1:14 am:

Dear fellow members of the Columbia community:

I am deeply saddened by what is happening on our campus. Our bonds as a community have been severely tested in ways that will take a great deal of time and effort to reaffirm. Students across an array of communities have conveyed fears for their safety and we have announced additional actions we are taking to address security concerns. The decibel of our disagreements has only increased in recent days. These tensions have been exploited and amplified by individuals who are not affiliated with Columbia who have come to campus to pursue their own agendas. We need a reset.

There is a terrible conflict raging in the Middle East with devastating human consequences. I understand that many are experiencing deep moral distress and want Columbia to help alleviate this by taking action. We should be having serious conversations about how Columbia can contribute. There will be many views across our diverse community about how best to do this and that is as it should be. But we cannot have one group dictate terms and attempt to disrupt important milestones like graduation to advance their point of view. Let’s sit down and talk and argue and find ways to compromise on solutions.

To deescalate the rancor and give us all a chance to consider next steps, I am announcing that all classes will be held virtually on Monday. Faculty and staff who can work remotely should do so; essential personnel should report to work according to university policy. Our preference is that students who do not live on campus will not come to campus.

During the coming days, a working group of Deans, university administrators, and faculty members will try to bring this crisis to a resolution. That includes continuing discussions with the student protestors and identifying actions we can take as a community to enable us to peacefully complete the term and return to respectful engagement with each other. I know that there is much debate about whether or not we should use the police on campus, and I am happy to engage in those discussions. But I do know that better adherence to our rules and effective enforcement mechanisms would obviate the need for relying on anyone else to keep our community safe. We should be able to do this ourselves.

Over the past days, there have been too many examples of intimidating and harassing behavior on our campus. Antisemitic language, like any other language that is used to hurt and frighten 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 for anyone adversely affected by current events.

We are a caring, mature, thoughtful, and engaged community. Let’s remind ourselves of our common values of honoring learning, mutual respect, and kindness that have been the bedrock of Columbia. I hope everyone can take a deep breath, show compassion, and work together to rebuild the ties that bind us together.

Sincerely,

Minouche Shafik

President, Columbia University in the City of New York

Email from Barnard EVP for Strategy and Chief Administrative Officer Kelli Murray to students on Monday at 6:37 am:

Dear Members of the Barnard Community,

All classes at Barnard and Columbia will take place via zoom today, Monday April 22, 2024. President Shafik announced this plan to go remote early this morning for the Columbia campus, and we write to confirm that Barnard classes will also be remote.

Professors will provide students with zoom links or other information about classes and other academic events scheduled for today. We are working with staff to move non-academic events online or to postpone as appropriate.

All offices of the College will remain open, but some services will be provided only on a remote basis. Dining halls, residence halls, the Barnard library, and health services (Furman Counseling and Primary Care Health Services) will operate as usual, providing services in person. Facilities and CARES (emergency and non-emergency) will also remain available to assist those on campus. Senior staff and supervisors will communicate with employees about staffing and remote work in their areas. 

Please refer to last night’s email that Senior Vice President Sarah Gillman sent regarding enhanced campus safety measures in place at this time. 

We will provide other updates later today. Thank you for your flexibility.  

Kelli Murray

EVP for Strategy and Chief Administrative Officer

Butler Library via Bwog Archives