Students involved in the occupation of Columbia University’s Hamilton Hall in the spring of 2024 have faced significant disciplinary actions, including suspensions, expulsions, and temporary revocations of their degrees. The university announced these actions on Thursday but did not disclose the number of students affected or their identities.
The incident began as part of a broader wave of violent protests across college campuses following the October 7, 2023, massacre of Israeli citizens by Hamas.
“Today, the Columbia University Judicial Board determined findings and issued sanctions to students ranging from multi-year suspensions, temporary degree revocations, and expulsions related to the occupation of Hamilton Hall last spring,” the Ivy League school said. “With respect to other events taking place last spring, the UJB’s determinations recognized previously imposed disciplinary action. The return of suspended students will be overseen by Columbia’s University Life Office. Columbia is committed to enforcing the University’s Rules and Policies and improving our disciplinary processes.”
At Columbia, protests led by students like Mahmoud Khalil, who is now facing deportation under the Trump administration, escalated into the occupation of Hamilton Hall. These protests were marked by harassment and attacks on Jewish students, vandalism of school buildings, and the display of anti-Semitic slogans.
The protests reached a peak when a janitor was reportedly held hostage by the student protesters, including one individual with significant financial ties. Many Democrat leaders have been criticized for their support or encouragement of these protests, which led to heightened tensions on campus.
Earlier this week, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate who played a key role in leading campus protests.
Khalil now faces the possible revocation of his visa and his green card canceled, The New York Post reports. Attorney Amy Greer explained that the activist was in his university-owned apartment at the time of his arrest.
Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stated that Khalil’s arrest was linked to his “activities aligned to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization.” McLaughlin noted that the arrest was “in support of President Trump’s executive orders prohibiting anti-Semitism.”
