As Columbia University kicked off the new academic year, the prestigious campus once again became the focal point of intense demonstrations and tight security. This marks a continuation of the turbulent atmosphere that defined the previous academic year, which was heavily influenced by the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The first day of classes saw a visible and vocal presence of pro-Palestinian protesters, many of whom wore the traditional keffiyeh scarf and chanted slogans such as “Free Palestine” as they beat drums and marched outside the university gates. According to police reports, though the demonstration was peaceful, it was a reminder of the deep tension that has come to characterise the university’s atmosphere.
This new round of protests comes after a highly charged academic year, during which Columbia’s campus became the battleground for several significant demonstrations. Last year, the university saw some of the largest and most intense student protests in the US, driven by opposition to Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The demonstrations led to police raiding a pro-Palestinian camp occupying the campus square and students briefly occupying an academic building, resulting in more than 100 arrests. In response to these events, the university canceled its main graduation ceremony and there was an atmosphere of uncertainty and unrest as students left for the summer. The resignation of Minouche Shafik, who served as Columbia’s president during this upheaval, further highlighted the turmoil facing the institution. The first day of the new term saw mixed reactions from the university community. Outside campus, police reported at least two arrests related to the protests, though gatherings were otherwise described as peaceful. Inside, the biggest disruption was the daubing of red paint on the Alma Mater statue, reportedly by protesters. The area around the statue was cordoned off as maintenance crews worked to clean it. As students returned to campus, many appeared undeterred by the ongoing demonstrations. For some, the presence of protests was an expected part of their academic experience. Stephanie Lee, a 28-year-old graduate business student, expressed her faith in increased security measures and appeared unperturbed by the protests. Similarly, Rachel Black, a freshman from North Carolina, welcomed the opportunity to engage with complex global issues, viewing the protests as a chance to deepen her understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
On the other side of the debate, David Lederer, a 22-year-old junior and pro-Israel Jewish student, organized a small protest outside the university gates. Along with a fellow student, Lederer held a photo of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin recently recovered by Israeli forces and displayed a banner that read “Get support for terrorism off our campus.” Lederer and his peers expressed concern about perceived support for terrorism by some pro-Palestinian groups and expressed their frustration with what they saw as insufficient condemnation of the October 7 Hamas attack.
The ongoing conflict has cast a long shadow over campus activities, with pro-Palestinian groups urging returning students to remember the casualties of the conflict and consider their role in supporting Palestinian rights. Flyers distributed by protesters stressed the need to consider the human cost of the conflict and the university’s role in addressing these issues.
Columbia University has remained focused on its academic mission, with spokesperson Samantha Slater emphasizing the institution’s commitment to creating a safe and respectful environment for all students. Despite the protests and counter-protests, the university’s priority remains on teaching and advancing knowledge while ensuring campus safety.
The tensions at Columbia University are part of a broader trend of increased political activism and activism on college campuses across the U.S. As the academic year progresses, the university community will continue to navigate these challenging dynamics, balancing academic pursuits with the realities of a deeply polarized global context.