At the 2024 Columbia Reunion, Palestinian students initiated a “Revolt for Rafah” encampment on West Butler Lawn, the third encampment in the past two months.

Students protested at convocation ceremonies held today on Sunday, May 12.

Several controversial events occurring during Columbia President Minouche Shafik’s tenure as Director at the London School of Economics and Political Science have resurfaced amidst the student demonstrations taking place at Columbia. Editor’s warning: Descriptions of sexual misconduct and white supremacy

On May 8, a group of over 600 Jewish students published an open letter, affirming their support for Zionism and Israel and denouncing antisemitism.

Over 1,700 alumni have pledged to withhold support for Columbia unless demands including divestment, amnesty for students, support for the Harlem community, and President Shafik’s removal are met.

During a virtual plenary on Wednesday, May 8 at 3:30 pm, the University Senate discussed the decision to cancel commencement and unanimously passed a motion calling for the temporary suspension of disciplinary procedures against student protesters.

Protests continue as Commencement has been canceled and campus remains closed. Read live updates here.

Columbia announced it has canceled its main Commencement and will holder smaller Class Day ceremonies at Baker Complex. Read live updates here.

In a message to students Monday, Columbia announced that its university-wide commencement would be canceled following weeks of protests and the shutdown of the University campus.

Campus remains locked to most members of the community after the April 30 arrests. Follow live updates here.

In an Instagram post on Monday, nonprofit Palestine Legal announced the federal Office for Civil Rights would investigate Columbia for allegations of discrimination against Palestinian students. 

President Rosenbury emailed the Barnard community this morning, marking the first direct correspondence from her to students since the April 30 arrests of over 100 students.

On Wednesday evening, Barnard Dean Leslie Grinage announced that all final exams will now be remote, among other updates to academic policies following NYPD activity on campus.

After a vote comprising Barnard’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors voted unanimously for no confidence in the leadership of Barnard President Laura Rosenbury, a similar faculty-wide vote had 77% of voters expressing no confidence. 

Student protesters occupied Hamilton Hall around 12:30 am on Tuesday, April 30. This comes after negotiations between the University and student organizers ceased. Read live updates here. Content warning: violence