Columbia University Shifts to Virtual Classes Amid Rising Tensions Before Passover

In response to escalating tensions on campus, Columbia University officials have decided to move all classes online starting Monday, coinciding with the beginning of Passover. Columbia President Minouche Shafik explained in a statement that the goal is to calm the situation and allow everyone to think about the next steps.

The situation at the Ivy League school has become increasingly tense, highlighting the significant challenge that Shafik faces in bringing things back under control.

Billionaire Robert Kraft, a Columbia graduate and owner of the New England Patriots, has expressed concerns by implying that he is holding back donations due to doubts about Columbia's ability to ensure the safety of its students and staff.

Kraft, founder of the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, expressed his disappointment with the school that once provided him with opportunities, stating that he no longer recognizes the institution. He mentioned on X, previously known as Twitter, that he does not feel comfortable supporting the university until corrective actions are taken.

At Yale University, The Yale Daily News reported on Monday morning that at least 16 individuals, including students, were arrested as police blocked off entrances in response to a protest at Hewitt Quadrangle & Beinecke Plaza.

Cops have gathered at Beinecke Plaza, where pro-Palestine protesters have set up tents overnight to urge Yale to divest from military weapons manufacturers. This marks the third night of their ongoing encampment, as reported by the Yale Daily News.

Reports have also emerged that journalists from the Yale Daily News were threatened with arrest if they did not move from the plaza.

CNN has contacted the Yale University administration, the Yale Police Department, and the New Haven Police Department in Connecticut to gather more information.

Tensions have been rising at various universities following the October 7 terror attack on Israel by Hamas. The situation at Columbia University has intensified in recent days, especially after university officials spoke before Congress about antisemitism on campus. Additionally, there has been a surge in pro-Palestinian protests on and near the campus.

At Columbia, a working group of Deans, university administrators, and faculty members will work together in the coming days to resolve the crisis. The president mentioned in her Monday statement the importance of continuing discussions with the student protestors and finding actions as a community to peacefully finish the term and restore respectful engagement with each other.

Shafik has been facing increased pressure to resign as the situation continues to develop. A rabbi associated with the university has even advised Jewish students to stay home for their safety during Passover, a major Jewish holiday starting Monday evening.

The safety of Columbia's community is our top priority, according to a university spokesperson who spoke to CNN on Sunday. They mentioned that they are addressing the concerns raised by Jewish students and are offering extra support and resources to keep the community safe.

Over the weekend, The White House, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, and New York City Mayor Eric Adams all spoke out against calls for violence targeting Jews.

Mayor Adams expressed his horror and disgust at the antisemitic incidents at and around Columbia University. He reassured the public that the New York Police Department is committed to taking action and will not hesitate to arrest anyone found breaking the law.

Rabbi Elie Buechler, from Columbia University’s Orthodox Union Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus, told CNN's Jake Tapper that he advised around 300 Orthodox Jewish students to go back home and stay there. He said recent incidents at the university showed that Jewish students' safety could not be guaranteed by Columbia University’s Public Safety and the NYPD.

The message reads, "I strongly suggest that you go back home as soon as you can and stay there until the situation on and around campus gets much better."

In a post on X on Sunday, the campus Hillel stated that they do not think Jewish students should leave the campus, but they believe that the university and the City of New York should take action to keep students safe from harassment.

Student: I’m feeling terrified, angry, and upset.

Hagar Chemali, an adjunct associate professor of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University, shared with CNN on Monday that if her child was a student there, she would advise them to go home. She explained that the decision is not only due to the tension on campus but also because the protests have attracted extremists from outside.

Organizers of the campus protest at Columbia University, including Apartheid Divest and Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine, stated that they have been peaceful. They also made it clear that they do not support non-student protestors outside the campus, describing them as "inflammatory individuals who do not represent us."

In their statement, the activists emphasized their rejection of hate and bigotry. They are committed to maintaining solidarity among students, including Palestinian, Muslim, Arab, Jewish, Black, and pro-Palestinian classmates. They believe in embracing the full diversity of our country and are watchful against disruptions from non-students.

Noah Lederman, a student at Columbia, expressed his feelings of fear, anger, and disappointment towards the university for not taking action. In early February, he was harassed and requested remote learning options due to feeling unsafe on campus. He described the situation as blatantly antisemitic.

Jonathan Ben-Menachem, a Ph.D. student, stated that Columbia students supporting Palestine, including Jewish students, have experienced harassment, doxxing, and even arrest by the NYPD. He highlighted these as the main threats to the safety of Jewish students at Columbia.

Student protesters have been organizing interfaith joint prayers and will be hosting a Passover Seder at the Gaza Solidarity Encampment. It is important to note that labeling them as a threat to Jewish students is unfair and unfounded.

In addition to the activities at the Gaza Solidarity Encampment, demonstrations are also happening at various other campuses. Pro-Palestinian students at Emerson College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Yale, Harvard, University of North Carolina, and Boston University are showing solidarity with their peers at Columbia University through protest encampments and rallies.

Crisis is a test for Columbia’s new president

The crisis at Columbia amounts to a massive test for Shafik, who took the helm of the university less than a year ago.

Rep. Elise Stefanik, a Republican from New York who often criticizes Ivy League schools, has demanded that Shafik resign immediately.

Stefanik stated on Sunday that Columbia University, once known for its high academic standards and founded by Alexander Hamilton, is in urgent need of new leadership.

After a troubling hearing on antisemitism at Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania in December, both university presidents faced intense scrutiny and ultimately stepped down.

Shafik spoke to the House Education Committee about the same issue last Wednesday. As a result, campus protests have intensified in the following days. Republican committee chair Rep. Virginia Foxx cautioned university officials about potential repercussions if they do not address the escalating protests.

Foxx wrote in a letter that Columbia's failure to promptly restore order and safety on campus violates the University's Title VI obligations, which are necessary for federal financial assistance. This breach must be addressed immediately.

Jewish student organizations have heightened security measures for their upcoming events and services as Passover begins on Monday.

Police presence will be maintained at the Kraft Center, a Jewish cultural center shared by Columbia and Barnard College, during Passover. Students can request walking escorts to and from the building starting Monday, as stated in an email from Brian Cohen, the center’s executive director.

Chabad, another Jewish organization on campus, is moving forward with their plans to host Passover celebrations. They have also taken the step to hire extra security to ensure the safety of students during the festivities.

CNN’s Elizabeth Wolfe, Paradise Afshar, Caroll Alvarado and Shimon Prokupecz contributed to this report.

Editor's P/S:

The escalating tensions at Columbia University, highlighted by the recent move to online classes and concerns raised by billionaire alumnus Robert Kraft, underscore the profound challenges facing President Minouche Shafik as she navigates a complex and sensitive situation. The protests, sparked by the Israel-Hamas conflict and allegations of antisemitism, have polarized the campus community and raised questions about the university's ability to foster a safe and inclusive environment.

Shafik's decision to move classes online is a significant step that reflects the urgency and gravity of the situation. It is also a recognition of the need to de-escalate tensions and provide a space for reflection and dialogue. The involvement of external groups, including extremists, has further complicated matters, raising concerns about the safety of Jewish students. The testimonies of students and faculty members who have experienced harassment and intimidation highlight the need for immediate and effective action from university leadership.