Columbia University has requested the New York Police Department to clear a building occupied by pro-Palestinian protesters and encampments on campus. President Nemak Shafit asked for police assistance in a letter released after officers entered Hamilton Hall and arrested protesters who had been occupying the building. The university’s commencement is scheduled for May 15, and Dr. Shafit requested that the police remain on campus until at least May 17 to ensure safety and prevent any further disruptions.
Dozens of police officers arrived at Columbia University in response to the request, arresting protesters who had occupied Hamilton Hall since early Tuesday. While much of the campus had been cleared of people, protesters outside the gates continued to chant. Dr. Shafik expressed that the takeover of Hamilton Hall and ongoing encampments posed serious safety concerns for the individuals involved and the entire community. She stated that these activities had become a magnet for protesters outside the gates, creating significant risk to the campus and disrupting normal operations.
Despite facing criticism for bringing police onto campus earlier in the month to clear a tent protest, Dr. Shafik stated that she had no choice but to request the NYPD’s assistance. With the support of the University’s Trustees, she determined that the building occupation, encampments, and related disruptions posed a clear and present danger to persons, property, and the functioning of the University, requiring the use of emergency authority to protect against these threats. As a result, Dr. Shafik made the difficult decision to request help from the NYPD to clear the individuals involved in the protests from Hamilton Hall and all campus encampments.
In her letter, Dr. Shafik described how a group of individuals entered Hamilton Hall in the early morning of April 30 for the purpose of occupying the building. She stated that while the group included students, it was led by individuals not affiliated with the University who had vandalized property and were trespassing. Additionally, she mentioned the encampment on the West Lawn of the campus that had been present since April 19 and another encampment that appeared on Monday night. Despite efforts to reach agreements with the group in the West Lawn encampment, discussions reached an impasse on April 28, leading to the enforcement of university rules and policies.
As part of the measures to address the ongoing situation, Dr. Shafik informed all University students in the West Lawn encampment that they would be suspended if they did not disperse by a specific deadline. She also prohibited participation in other campus encampments and stated that students still in the encampments were suspended. The letter concluded with Dr. Shafik requesting the Police Department to maintain a presence on campus until at least May 17, 2024, to ensure order and prevent the reestablishment of encampments. The university president reiterated the importance of protecting persons and property while upholding the substantial functioning of the University.
