Columbia announces disciplinary action for students who took over campus building last spring

Columbia University announced disciplinary actions on Thursday for students who took over a campus building last year during pro-Palestinian protests, a move that comes as the Trump administration seeks to deport one of the demonstration's organizers and cuts some $400 million in grants to the school over its handling of the unrest.

The discipline includes “multi-year suspensions, temporary degree revocations, and expulsions,” according to the school, which did not specify how many or which students were affected.

It said the punishments were levied against those who participated in the takeover of Hamilton Hall last April, an event that made national headlines when police were called in to oust the protesters.  

“With respect to other events taking place last spring, the [Columbia University Judicial Board’s] determinations recognized previously imposed disciplinary action. The return of suspended students will be overseen by Columbia’s University Life Office,” the university statement reads.  

“Columbia is committed to enforcing the University’s Rules and Policies and improving our disciplinary processes,” it added.

Last Friday, the federal government said it was canceling $400 million in grants to the school over what it called a failure to combat antisemitism, warning additional cancellations were likely to follow.

The next day, Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holder who graduated from the university in December, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio pointing specifically to Khalil's participation in the protests.

“We will find, apprehend, and deport these terrorist sympathizers from our country — never to return again,” Trump said online. “If you support terrorism, including the slaughtering of innocent men, women, and children, your presence is contrary to our national and foreign policy interests, and you are not welcome here. We expect every one of America’s Colleges and Universities to comply.”

The Hill has reached out to Columbia University for further comment.