Updates For Our Community - Archive

Updates For Our Community: Archive

(5:07 PM)

Dear fellow members of the Columbia community,

We are sharing this update to provide you with the latest details about campus status, activities, and resources. As always, we welcome your feedback.

West Lawn Encampment:

  • On Sunday night, the protesters packed up and departed their encampment.
  • A tent owned by an outside vendor intended for use during reunion activities was vandalized over the weekend. Consistent with normal practice when vandalism occurs, NYPD, accompanied by Public Safety, was on campus to photograph and document the damage as part of an investigation for criminal mischief.
  • The University is moving forward with the process described in the Rules of University Conduct for those students who were identified as part of the encampment.
  • We appreciate the support of our colleagues in Public Safety/Facilities and Operations through this busy reunion weekend.

Campus Access:

  • We have resumed classes and look forward to continuing our education and research activities throughout the summer.
  • Access to campus is currently restricted to Columbia University affiliates with a valid Columbia University ID (CUID).  
  • All Columbia-based affiliates from all campuses, including Morningside, Manhattanville, CUIMC, Baker Athletics Complex, Lamont-Doherty, and Nevis have access to the Morningside campus.
  • In addition, members of Dodge Fitness Center have access to campus. Affiliates will also have access to all campus buildings, consistent with normal operating hours. A valid CUID is required to access the Morningside campus. Restricted access remains in effect for affiliates of Barnard and Teachers College as well as anyone without a valid CUID.
  • For Morningside researchers, we understand that the CUID-only access restrictions may pose a burden, particularly when it comes to having visitors for research purposes on campus. We are actively working to address this concern and will provide further updates as soon as possible. Click here for more information on campus access for researchers.
  • Campus can be accessed at the north pedestrian gate at 116th Street and Broadway, the north pedestrian gate at Amsterdam and 116th Street, and the Wien Gate on 116th Street. These gates will be accessible 24/7 to Columbia affiliates with a valid CUID.
  • For more details on who can currently access the Morningside campus and which gates are open, please visit the Public Safety website.  
  • We ask everyone to continue adhering to Columbia's rules and policies, and to respect the current measures in place for the safety and security of our students, faculty and staff.

Library services:

Transportation services:

  • The Evening Shuttle provides on-demand transportation service as an alternative to walking alone at night.

Safety resources:

(10:27 PM)

Dear fellow members of the Columbia community,

We are resuming these regular updates to share information about the new encampment on West Lawn and to provide you with the latest details about campus access and activities.

As always, we welcome your feedback.

West Lawn Encampment:

  • At 7:00 p.m. yesterday evening a new encampment was established on West Lawn of the Morningside campus by a group of Columbia students.

  • Columbia Public Safety officers and delegates from University Life informed the students that the encampment violates University Rules.

  • Public Safety removed four unoccupied tents.

  • Consistent with our mission as an educational institution, several Columbia faculty entered the encampment Friday night to initiate discussions with student leaders. We welcome this effort to establish dialogue.

  • As of Saturday afternoon, the encampment consisted of seven tents, and most protestors had relocated to an adjacent, large-scale tent that had previously been erected by the university.

  • The group fluctuated in size throughout the day, ranging from about 25 to about 60 individuals.

Alumni Weekend:

  • Events related to the Columbia Reunion 24, a three-day celebration for our undergraduate alumni, are proceeding on the Morningside campus.  

  • We welcome our alumni back on campus and thank everyone involved for ensuring this celebration is a success.  

 Campus Access:

  • We look forward to resuming classes on Monday and continuing our education and research activities throughout the summer.

  • Access to campus is currently restricted to Columbia University affiliates with a valid Columbia University ID (CUID).  

  • All Columbia-based affiliates from all campuses, including Morningside, Manhattanville, CUIMC, Baker Athletics Complex, Lamont, and Nevis have access to the Morningside campus. In addition, members of Dodge Fitness Center have access to campus. Affiliates will also have access to all campus buildings, consistent with normal operating hours, including but not limited to IAB, the Law School, Mudd, and Lerner. A valid CUID is required to access the Morningside campus. Restricted access remains in effect for affiliates of Barnard and Teachers College as well as anyone without a valid CUID.

  • For Morningside researchers, we understand that the CUID-only access restrictions may pose a burden, particularly when it comes to having visitors for research purposes on campus. We are actively working to address this concern and will provide further updates as soon as possible. Click here for more information on campus access for researchers.

  • Campus can be accessed at the north pedestrian gate at 116th Street and Broadway, the north pedestrian gate at Amsterdam and 116th Street, and the Wien Gate on 116th Street. These gates will be accessible 24/7 to Columbia affiliates with a valid CUID.

  • For more details on who can currently access the Morningside campus and which gates are open, please visit: https://publicsafety.columbia.edu/content/morningside-campus-access-updates.  

  • We ask everyone to continue adhering to Columbia's rules and policies, and to respect the current measures in place for the safety and security of our students, faculty and staff.

Library services:

Safety resources:

(9:33 AM)

Dear fellow members of the Columbia community,

We are recapping here some of the most recent updates and information that impact many of you. We continue to share these updates because many of you have told us that it is useful to have these resources resurfaced and collected in one place. We appreciate the input and welcome further feedback.

Morningside campus access:

  • The Morningside campus is open to all Morningside-based Columbia University students enrolled in graduate programs, in addition to the undergraduates, faculty, and staff who were granted access over the past few days. Full access has now been restored for all Morningside-based Columbia students, faculty, and staff.  
  • Restriction at the Morningside campus remains in effect for affiliates of Barnard and Teachers College as well as Columbia affiliates based at CUIMC, Manhattanville, and other campuses. Click here for more details on who can currently access the Morningside campus and which gates are open.
  • Please remember to adhere to all university rules and policies to ensure a safe environment for everyone on campus. Safety remains our top priority as we welcome more of our community back.


Research at Morningside:

  • All Morningside campus researchers, including faculty, officers of research, postdocs, students and technical staff, will be granted access to the campus for research activities. Click here for more information on campus access for researchers.  


Commencement/Class Days/school-level ceremonies:


Dining services:


Library services:


Transportation services:

  • Intercampus shuttle will run on a weekend schedule from Friday, 5/10 through Tuesday, 5/14. See Intercampus Shuttle Weekend Schedule.
  • There will be no Manhattanville Loop service from Friday, 5/10 through Tuesday 5/14. Use the Intercampus Shuttle, operating on its weekend schedule, for alternate travel between campuses or to the 125th Street/Metro North station. See the schedule.
  • The Evening Shuttle provides on-demand transportation service as an alternative to walking alone at night.
  • See Columbia Transportation website for updates.


Safety resources:


Student health, well-being, and counseling services:

  • Columbia Health for Morningside, Manhattanville, and Teachers College students (services provided in-person as needed, as well as telehealth and virtual options).  
  • Student Health on Haven for CUIMC students (in-person and telehealth). 24/7 phone support available (212-305-3400):
  • Faculty and staff can find mental health resources here.
  • University Life provides additional well-being resources and tips.

(10:27 AM)

Dear fellow members of the Columbia community,

We are recapping here some of the most recent updates and information that impact many of you. We continue to share these updates because many of you have told us that it is useful to have these resources resurfaced and collected in one place—we appreciate the input and welcome further feedback.

Morningside campus access:

    • We are further expanding access to the Morningside campus to include all Morningside-based Columbia graduating students, all Columbia Law School students, and all Morningside-based Columbia staff.
    • This expanded access will allow 2024 graduates to fully participate in activities related to their last days as Columbia students and will enable our staff to return to campus to support students, faculty, and other important operations.
    • Staff should expect to return to the office on their typical schedules. If you have any questions about coming to campus, please discuss with your supervisor.
    • Restriction at the Morningside campus remains in effect for affiliates of Barnard and Teachers College as well as Columbia affiliates based at CUIMC, Manhattanville, and other campuses.
    • For more details on who can currently access the Morningside campus and which gates are open, please visit: https://publicsafety.columbia.edu/content/morningside-campus-access-updates. 
    • We ask everyone to continue adhering to Columbia's rules and policies, and to respect the current measures in place for the safety and security of our students, faculty and staff.

    Commencement/Class Days/school-level ceremonies:

    • For information about your Class Day or school graduation ceremony, please visit the University Commencement website.
    • We continue to solicit student feedback and are looking at the possibility of a festive event on May 15 to take the place of the large, formal ceremony. There will be more news to share in the days ahead.
    • Schools are also looking at the possibility of additional receptions for their graduates. They and we will share more information as it becomes available.

    Research at Morningside:

      • As of Wednesday, May 8, all individuals based on the Morningside campus involved in externally sponsored research, regardless of the sponsor, may access the Morningside campus for research-related activities. This policy applies to faculty, officers of research, postdocs, students, and technical staff involved in externally sponsored research. Your deans for research will communicate the process by which access will be granted. These deans will then contact Public Safety for ID activation.
      • For those working on research that is not externally sponsored, if your project requires on-campus activity, you may continue to obtain access for yourself and team members through your research dean as needed.
      • If you are not certain whether your project is externally sponsored, please contact your Sponsored Projects Administration project officer for clarification.

      Dining services:

      • Ferris Booth Commons is open for all dining plan holders, operating from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. today, Thursday, May 9, and 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Friday, May 10. See Dining website for details.

      Library services:

      Transportation services:

      • The Evening Shuttle provides on-demand transportation service as an alternative to walking alone at night.

      Safety resources:

      Student health, well-being, and counseling services:

      • You can access health, well-being, and counseling offices and resources across the Columbia, Barnard, and Teachers College campuses:
        • Columbia Health for Morningside, Manhattanville, and Teachers College students (services provided in-person as needed, as well as telehealth and virtual options).  
          • In person:
            • Schedule a same-day appointment with Medical Services via the Patient Portal or by calling 212-854-7426. You may be asked to show your appointment confirmation at the 116th St. and Amsterdam access point to facilitate entry to campus.
            • To schedule a follow-up appointment with your provider at Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS), call 212-854-2878. You may be asked to show your appointment confirmation at the Auditorium access point on Broadway to facilitate entry to Lerner.
            • Access to Sexual Violence Response is available in Lerner Hall.  Please call 212-854-4357 (HELP) for assistance.
          • Virtual visits:
            • If you are in New York State:
              • Schedule a same-day telehealth appointment with Medical Services via the Patient Portal or by calling 212-854-7426. Be sure to select “telehealth.” You will see the secure link in your Patient Portal starting 30 minutes before your appointment.
              • Schedule a treatment planning session with CPS via the Patient Portal or by calling 212-854-2878.
              • You can access any CPS virtual drop-in by calling 212-854-2878 during designated urgent mental health concerns or problem-solving/coping skills drop-in hours to receive a secure telehealth link to speak with a provider.
        • If you are in another state:
          • Students on the Columbia University Student Health Insurance Plan and located more than 50 miles from campus can access care without a referral. Find an in-network provider via AetnaDocFind (select “Aetna Open Choice PPO”).
          • Call CPS at 212-854-2878 for information on our national and global telehealth options.
        • For all students, regardless of location and health fee status:
        • Call Sexual Violence Response at 212-854-4357 (available 24/7) if you or a loved one has experienced harassment, stalking, sexual assault, or other forms of gender or power-based violence. Schedule an appointment by emailing [email protected].
        • Register with Disability Services (DS) to request academic and campus accommodations or use drop-in hours or email [email protected] to ask a question.
        • For urgent concerns (available 24/7):
          • Medical concerns, call 212-854-7426.
          • Mental health concerns, call 212-854-2878.
          • Survivor advocacy and intervention, call 212-854-4357.
        • Student Health on Haven for CUIMC students (in-person and telehealth). 24/7 phone support available (212-305-3400):

      (8:55 PM)

      Chief Operating Officer Cas Holloway has released an update:

      "Beginning tomorrow at 8:00 a.m., we will expand access at the Morningside campus to all Columbia undergraduates and to GSAS MA and PhD students in teaching or academic support roles this semester. Restoring access for these Columbia Morningside-based affiliates will strengthen the pedagogical undertakingand provide students with greater access to dining halls, libraries, and the Dodge Fitness Center during this period of final exams. Faculty and students will be able to interact in person, and researchers will be able to advance their critical discovery work. Together we will take another important step forward in rebuildingcommunity on our campus while providing for the safety and security of everyone."

      Please read the full statement.

      (8:43 AM)

      See below for an update from the University on Commencement celebrations:

      Our graduating students, their families, and their loved ones are very focused on our upcoming Commencement celebrations. We are as well. We are determined to give our students the celebration they deserve, and that they want. Our Deans and other colleagues who work directly with our students have been discussing plans with student leaders, and, most importantly, listening. Based on their feedback, we have decided to make the centerpiece of our Commencement activities our Class Days and school-level ceremonies, where students are honored individually alongside their peers, rather than the University-wide ceremony that is scheduled for May 15.

      Our students emphasized that these smaller-scale, school-based celebrations are most meaningful to them and their families. They are eager to cross the stage to applause and family pride and hear from their school’s invited guest speakers. As a result, we will focus our resources on those school ceremonies and on keeping them safe, respectful, and running smoothly. A great deal of effort is already underway to reach that goal, and we understand the Deans and school teams are looking forward to working with their students to incorporate the most creative and meaningful ideas to celebrate this extraordinary moment.

      To ensure we will have the best conditions and resources for a meaningful experience, we have decided to relocate our Class Days and school ceremonies scheduled for the South Lawn of Morningside campus. The majority of these ceremonies will be hosted at Columbia’s Baker Athletics Complex, the timing will remain the same (with the exception of the Columbia College Class Day and Columbia Climate School), and there is no need for a change in travel plans for families. Please see below for the full list of school ceremonies, times and locations. 

      Tickets are still required, and guests can use the tickets they already have. All qualifying graduates will receive a follow-up email with more details. Students and families who have not yet registered should make sure to do so.

      These past few weeks have been incredibly difficult for our community. Just as we are focused on making our graduation experience truly special, we continue to solicit student feedback and are looking at the possibility of a festive event on May 15 to take the place of the large, formal ceremony. We are eager to all come together for our graduates and celebrate our fellow Columbians as they, and we, look ahead to the future. We will share more in the coming days.

      School Ceremonies Schedule

      Friday, May 10

      • 8:30 a.m. – Professional Studies, Morning Ceremony | Baker Athletics Complex
      • 12:30 p.m. – Professional Studies, Afternoon Ceremony | Baker Athletics Complex
      • 4:30 p.m. – Social Work | Baker Athletics Complex
      • 5:30 p.m. – Columbia Climate School | The Forum

      Saturday, May 11

      • 8:00 a.m. – Business School, EMBA & PhD Candidates | Baker Athletics Complex
      • 11:30 a.m. – Business School, MBA | Baker Athletics Complex
      • Architecture, Planning and Preservation | St. Paul’s Chapel
        • Your school will communicate the time and further details

      Sunday, May 12

      • 8:00 a.m. – Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, PhD | Baker Athletics Complex
      • 10:00 a.m. – Baccalaureate Service | St. Paul’s Chapel
      • 11:00 a.m. – Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, MA | Baker Athletics Complex
      • 3:00 p.m. – The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, Graduate Ceremony | Baker Athletics Complex

       Monday, May 13

      • 8:00 a.m. – Columbia School of General Studies | Baker Athletics Complex
      • 11:45 a.m. –  The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, Undergraduate Ceremony | Baker Athletics Complex
      • 3:30 p.m. – Law School | Baker Athletics Complex
      • 7:30 p.m. – International and Public Affairs | Baker Athletics Complex

      Tuesday, May 14

      • 9:30 a.m. – Columbia College | Baker Athletics Complex
      • 10:00 a.m. – School of Nursing | The Armory
      • 10:00 a.m. – Physical Therapy | Alumni Auditorium, CUIMC
      • 3:30 p.m. – Genetic Counseling | VEC 201, CUIMC
      • 4:00 p.m. – Mailman School of Public Health | The Armory
      • 5:00 p.m. – Business School, MS | David Geffen Hall, Manhattanville Campus
      • Teachers College | United Palace Theatre
        • Varying times

      Wednesday, May 15

      • 12:00 p.m. – Journalism School | Roone Arledge Auditorium, Lerner Hall
      • 2:00 p.m. – Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons | The Armory
      • 4:00 p.m. – Barnard College | Radio City Music Hall
      • 7:00 p.m. – School of the Arts | Roone Arledge Auditorium, Lerner Hall
      • Teachers College | United Palace Theatre
        • Varying times

      Thursday, May 16

      • 10:00 a.m. – Occupational Therapy | Alumni Auditorium, CUIMC
      • 10:30 a.m. – Dental Medicine, Predoctoral | The Armory
      • 2:00 p.m. – Institute of Human Nutrition | Alumni Auditorium, CUIMC
      • 4:00 p.m. – Dental Medicine, Postdoctoral | The Armory

      (8:22 AM)

      Dear fellow members of the Columbia community,

      We want to again acknowledge the incredibly tough week this has been and thank you for your cooperation. We understand that the loss of shared spaces, libraries, dining halls, and offices has been challenging.

      We know that our students have felt these losses keenly, spending the last days of the academic year online. We are truly sorry for this. We made the decision to restrict access to Morningside campus to guard against further disruptions and prevent tensions and activities in the City and around the country from spilling over onto our campus and threatening the safety of our community.

      That said, we have reopened the Morningside campus to faculty based there, and we are looking to expand access further as soon as we can do so safely.

      We hope you will continue to look to this and other University communications for the latest updates. Please continue to send us feedback on what items are most useful.

      Campus access:

      • Campus is now open to faculty based on Morningside campus, students living in residential buildings on the Morningside campus (Carman, Furnald, John Jay, Hartley, Wallach, East Campus, and Wien), and employees who provide essential services to campus buildings, libraries, labs, and residential student life (Dining, Health, Public Safety, and building maintenance staff).
      • The only access point into and out of campus remains the 116th Street and Amsterdam gate. All other campus entry points are closed.
      • Security personnel will remain in place at the Wien Gate for individuals requiring disability access to Wien Hall and East Campus.
      • If you have a planned and already scheduled event that cannot be rescheduled, please consult Public Safety by emailing [email protected].
      • Teachers College has limited their campus access to those with Teachers College IDs.

      Dining services:

      • Ferris Booth Commons in Lerner Hall is open for all Columbia Dining Plan Holders [regardless of campus access restrictions]. See more details.
      • Please check the Columbia Dining website for additional operating locations, hours, and updates.

      Library services:

      • We are pleased to announce that the following libraries will be open this weekend:
        • Butler Library
        • Burke Library (UTS)
        • Uris Library (Uris)
        • Science & Engineering Library (NW Corner)
      • Additional libraries should open on Monday. For more information and hours of operation, please visit: https://library.columbia.edu/about/news/alert.html

      Transportation services:

      • Effective Saturday 5/4: Columbia Transportation will operate a temporary Morningside Campus Loop service to assist campus community members with access to the 116thStreet and Amsterdam gate, while other campus entry points are restricted. See schedule and stop locations.  
      • The Evening Shuttle provides on-demand transportation service as an alternative to walking alone at night.

      Disability services:

      Safety resources:

      Student health, well-being, and counseling services:

      • You can access health, well-being, and counseling offices and resources across the Columbia, Barnard, and Teachers College campuses:
        • Columbia Health for Morningside, Manhattanville and Teachers College students (services provided in-person as needed, as well as telehealth and virtual options).  
        • 24/7 phone support available:
          • For urgent medical concerns, call Medical Services at 212-854-7426. (Access to Medical Services in-person is available when clinically necessary.)
          • For urgent mental health concerns, call CPS 212-854-2878.
          • For survivor advocacy and intervention, call SVR at 212-854-4357.
      • Student Health on Haven for CUIMC students (in-person and telehealth). 24/7 phone support available (212-305-3400):
      • Faculty and staff can find mental health resources here.
      • University Life provides additional well-being resources and tips.

      (5:35 PM)

      To my fellow Columbia community members,

      As we head into the weekend, I would like to share the following message with all of you.

      We have a lot to do, but I am committed to working at it, every day and with each of you, to rebuild community on our campus.

      My best,

      Minouche Shafik
      President, Columbia University in the City of New York

      Screen grab of president Minouche Shafik

      (8:18 AM)

      Dear fellow members of the Columbia community,

      Many of us are still navigating—and sometimes struggling under—the restrictions and constraints on Morningside campus resulting from measures taken in the interest of campus safety and security. While those conditions remain, we also appreciate the suggestions sent by many of you and the patience and forbearance of all of you. And we thank our colleagues—from campus operations and public safety to health, dining, and libraries—who are supporting us at this time.

      We have some useful information below in today’s update on campus developments and resources. Please continue to send us feedback on what items are most useful.

      Last night, Chief Operating Officer Cas Holloway announced that starting today, Friday, May 3, faculty based on the Morningside campus can access Morningside campus.

      • “The expansion of faculty access puts teaching, mentorship and research on a better footing for the end of the term. We will continue to restrict broader community access with specific carve outs for lab personnel and others engaged in practice-based work. By restricting the campus temporarily, we are able to keep the units of the University that cannot function remotely (dining halls, residential halls, research labs, and other entities) running smoothly,” Holloway explained.
      • “We are guarding against further disruptions to our academic mission and carefully weighing the risk that tensions and activities in the City and around the country could spill over onto our campus and threaten the safety of our community. We are also concerned that Columbia remains a target for individuals and groups that do not have the best interests of our students in mind,” he added.


      Morningside campus access:

      • Campus is now open to faculty based on Morningside campus, students living in residential buildings on the Morningside campus (Carman, Furnald, John Jay, Hartley, Wallach, East Campus, and Wien), and employees who provide essential services to campus buildings, libraries, labs, and residential student life (Dining, Public Safety, and building maintenance staff). There is no additional access to the Morningside campus.
      • The only access point into and out of campus remains the 116th Street and Amsterdam gate. All other campus entry points are closed.
      • Security personnel will remain in place at the Wien Gate for individuals requiring disability access to Wien Hall and East Campus.
      • If you have a planned and already scheduled event that cannot be rescheduled, please consult Public Safety by emailing [email protected].

      Dining services:

      • Lerner Hall will be opening for dining on Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4, to students who have access to Morningside campus (those living in Carman, Furnald, John Jay, Hartley, Wallach, East Campus, and Wien).
      • Please check the Columbia Dining website for additional updates.

      Library services:

      Additional resources:

      • Disability Services is available to assist students with final exam accommodations, campus accessibility concerns, and other accommodation needs. Virtual drop-in hours are available daily. Email [email protected] or call 212-854-2388 for assistance.
      • The Evening Shuttle provides on-demand transportation service as an alternative to walking alone at night.
      • The Public Safety team is available at any time of day, every day. We have increased the presence of public safety officers across all of our campuses.
      • If you need to request a safety escort—available to members of the Columbia community at any time of day—call (212) 854-2797.
      • We have resources for reporting behavior that violates our standards.
      • You can access health, well-being, and counseling offices and resources across the Columbia, Barnard, and Teachers College campuses:
        • Columbia Health for Morningside, Manhattanville and Teachers College students (most services provided via telehealth and virtual options; walk-in not available). 24/7 phone support available:
          • For urgent medical concerns, call Medical Services at 212-854-7426.
          • For urgent mental health concerns, call CPS 212-854-2878.
          • For survivor advocacy and intervention, call SVR at 212-854-4357.
        • Student Health on Haven for CUIMC students (in-person and telehealth). 24/7 phone support available (212-305-3400):
        • Faculty and staff can find mental health resources here.
        • University Life provides additional well-being resources and tips.

      (8:00 AM)

      Dear fellow members of the Columbia community,

      We are providing this update to you directly on campus developments and resources. Please continue to send us feedback on what updates are most useful.

      Our campus:

      • Campus will continue to be limited to students residing in residential buildings on Morningside (Carman, Furnald, John Jay, Hartley, Wallach, East Campus, and Wien) and employees who provide essential services to campus buildings, libraries, labs and residential student life (for example, Dining, Public Safety, and building maintenance staff). There will be no additional access to the Morningside campus.
      • The only access point into and out of campus remains the 116th Street and Amsterdam gate. All other campus entry points are closed.
      • Security personnel will remain in place at the Wien Gate for individuals requiring disability access to Wien Hall and East Campus.
      • If you have a planned and already scheduled event that cannot be rescheduled, please consult Public Safety by emailing [email protected].

      Dining services:

      • Please check the Columbia Dining website for more information about precise dining halls and for updates.

      Exams:

      • To address the concerns of our members in an evolving campus environment, all academic activities for schools on the Morningside Heights campus will be fully remote for the remainder of the semester. Any remaining class meetings, review sessions, or office hours should be held fully remotely, and all final exams and other final assessments should be fully remote.
      • Instructors should be in touch with students in their classes as soon as practicable to explain how the remote version of final exams and final assessments will be conducted. Please see more guidance below on possible adjustments that instructors might make.
      • Please see the statement from Provost Angela Olinto for further details, information about carveouts, and other matters relating to exams.

      Commencement:

      • We know that you and your loved ones are wondering about plans for University Commencement and school Class Days. Offices across Columbia are committed to ensuring that all ceremonies run smoothly and that all our students and their families and friends get the celebration they deserve. We look forward to sharing more information about preparations that are underway soon.

      Additional resources:

      • Disability Services is available to assist students with final exam accommodations, campus accessibility concerns, and other accommodation needs. Virtual drop-in hours are available daily. Email [email protected] or call 212-854-2388 for assistance.
      • The Public Safety team is available at any time of day, every day. We have increased the presence of public safety officers across all of our campuses.
      • If you need to request a safety escort—available to members of the Columbia community at any time of day—call 212-854-2797.
      • We have resources for reporting behavior that violates our standards.
      • You can access health, well-being, and counseling offices and resources across the Columbia, Barnard, and Teachers College campuses:
        • Columbia Health for Morningside, Manhattanville and Teachers College students (most services provided via telehealth and virtual options; walk-in not available). 24/7 phone support available:
          • For urgent medical concerns, call Medical Services at 212-854-7426.
          • For urgent mental health concerns, call CPS 212-854-2878.
          • For survivor advocacy and intervention, call SVR at 212-854-4357.
        • Student Health on Haven for CUIMC students (in-person and telehealth). 24/7 phone support available 212-305-3400:
        • Faculty and staff can find mental health resources here.
        • University Life provides additional well-being resources and tips.

      (11:20 AM)

      This morning, President Minouche Shafik released a statement:

      "Early Tuesday morning, tensions on our campus rose to new heights when a small group of protestors broke into Hamilton Hall, barricaded themselves inside, and occupied it throughout the day. This drastic escalation of many months of protest activity pushed the University to the brink, creating a disruptive environment for everyone and raising safety risks to an intolerable level."

      Please read the full statement.

      (9:26 PM)

      From a University spokesman:

      A little after 9 p.m. this evening, the NYPD arrived on campus at the University’s request. This decision was made to restore safety and order to our community.

      We regret that protesters have chosen to escalate the situation through their actions. After the University learned overnight that Hamilton Hall had been occupied, vandalized, and blockaded, we were left with no choice. Columbia public safety personnel were forced out of the building, and a member of our facilities team was threatened. We will not risk the safety of our community or the potential for further escalation. 

      The leadership team, including the Board of Trustees, met throughout the night and into the early morning, consulting with security experts and law enforcement to determine the best plan to protect our students and the entire Columbia community. We made the decision, early in the morning, that this was a law enforcement matter, and that the NYPD were best positioned to determine and execute an appropriate response.  

      We believe that the group that broke into and occupied the building is led by individuals who are not affiliated with the University.  Sadly, this dangerous decision followed more than a week of what had been productive discussions with representatives of the West Lawn encampment.  

      We severely curtailed the number of people on Morningside campus starting Tuesday morning. Over the course of the day, we updated our community on access to campus buildings, and will continue to do so through the next few days. 

      The decision to reach out to the NYPD was in response to the actions of the protesters, not the cause they are championing. We have made it clear that the life of campus cannot be endlessly interrupted by protesters who violate the rules and the law. 

      Early Tuesday, protesters chose to escalate to an alarming and untenable situation – including by vandalizing property, breaking doors and windows, blockading entrances, and forcing our facilities and public safety workers out – and we are responding appropriately as we have long made clear we would. The safety of our community, especially our students, remains our top priority.

      Please also see President Shafik’s letter to the NYPD Deputy Commissioner.

      (2:38 PM)

      Dear fellow members of the Columbia community,

      We are providing this update to you directly on campus developments and resources. Please continue to send us feedback on what updates are most useful.

      We regret that protesters have chosen to escalate the situation through their actions. Our top priority is safety and order on our campus.

      We made it very clear yesterday that the work of the University cannot be endlessly interrupted by protesters who violate the rules. Continuing to do so will be met with clear consequences. Protesters have chosen to escalate to an untenable situation—vandalizing property, breaking doors and windows, and blockading entrances—and we are following through with the consequences we outlined yesterday.

      Our dialogue:

      • University representatives engaged in good faith in dialogue with the organizers and maintained that dialogue as long as possible because this reflected our values as a community and an effort to de-escalate. We were hopeful, and we were disappointed when the student protesters could not reach consensus on the issues under discussion.
      • This is about responding to the actions of the protesters, not their cause.

      Discipline:

      • Students occupying the building face expulsion.
      • Protesters were informed that their participation in the encampment violated numerous university policies. We gave everyone at the encampment the opportunity to leave peacefully. By committing to abide by University policies, they would be allowed to complete the semester.
      • Students who did not commit to the terms we offered are now being suspended. Those students will be restricted from all academic and recreational spaces and may only access their individual residence. Seniors will be ineligible to graduate.
      • As we said yesterday, disruptions on campus have created a threatening environment for many of our Jewish students and faculty and a noisy distraction that interferes with teaching, learning, and preparing for final exams, and contributes to a hostile environment in violation of Title VI.

      Our campus:

      • Access to the Morningside campus is only available to students residing in residential buildings on campus (Carman, Furnald, John Jay, Hartley, Wallach, East Campus, and Wien) and employees who provide essential services to campus buildings, labs, and residential student life (for example, Dining, Public Safety, and building maintenance staff).
      • There is no additional access to the Morningside campus. Faculty and staff who are unsure of their status should reach out to their supervisor.
      • Only researchers needed to ensure all laboratory equipment and materials are secure or to preserve key research assets should be physically present on Morningside campus. If you think your laboratory or research assets require your attention to ensure safety or preservation, please reach out to your dean.
      • The only access point into and out of campus is the 116th Street and Amsterdam gate. All other campus entry points are closed. Security personnel will remain in place at the Wien Gate for individuals requiring disability access to Wien Hall and East Campus. This access restriction will remain in place until circumstances allow otherwise.

      Dining services:

      • Columbia Dining is adding $80 Flex to Dining Plan holders’ accounts in light of campus restrictions impacting access to several Columbia Dining locations. This applies to Columbia Dining Plan Holders only.
      • Please check the Columbia Dining website for more information about precise dining halls and for updates.

      Additional building/services updates:

      • Lerner Hall is closed; the bookstore is open.
      • All libraries within the Morningside Campus are closed. The Burke Library remains open as a study space.
      • Dodge Fitness Center will operate on a modified schedule today, April 30, closing at 10 p.m. Only those who have access to Morningside campus will be able to use the facilities today.  
        • Through Thursday (5/2), all group fitness classes, including Functional Fitness, Indoor Cycling, Group Exercise, Lap Swim, and personal training sessions, have been canceled.
        • For the latest information, please check the website or call the Front Desk at 212-854-7149.

      Our neighborhood:

      Additional resources:

      • The Public Safety team is available at any time of day, every day. We have increased the presence of public safety officers across all of our campuses.
      • If you need to request a safety escort—available to members of the Columbia community at any time of day—call 212-854-2797.
      • We have resources for reporting behavior that violates our standards.
      • You can access health, well-being, and counseling offices and resources across the Columbia, Barnard, and Teachers College campuses:
        • Columbia Health for Morningside, Manhattanville and Teachers College students (most services provided via telehealth and virtual options; walk-in not available). 24/7 phone support available:
          • For urgent medical concerns, call Medical Services at 212-854-7426.
          • For urgent mental health concerns, call CPS 212-854-2878.
          • For survivor advocacy and intervention, call SVR at 212-854-4357.
        • Student Health on Haven for CUIMC students (in-person and telehealth). 24/7 phone support available (212-305-3400):
        • Faculty and staff can find mental health resources here.
        • University Life provides additional well-being resources and tips.

      (9:47 AM)

      Dear fellow members of the Columbia community,

      The safety of every single member of this community is paramount.

      We are providing this update to you directly on campus developments and resources. Please continue to send us feedback on what updates are most useful. We are focused right now on keeping our community safe and informed.

      Our campus:

      • Effective immediately, access to the Morningside campus has been limited to students residing in residential buildings on campus (Carman, Furnald, John Jay, Hartley, Wallach, East Campus, and Wien) and employees who provide essential services to campus buildings, labs, and residential student life (for example, Dining, Public Safety, and building maintenance staff).
      • There is no additional access to the Morningside campus. Faculty and staff who are unsure of their status should reach out to their supervisor.
      • The only access point into and out of campus is the 116th Street and Amsterdam gate. All other campus entry points are closed. Security personnel will remain in place at the Wien Gate for individuals requiring disability access to Wien Hall and East Campus.
      • This access restriction will remain in place until circumstances allow otherwise.

      Our services:

      • Dining services:
        • Updated information on dining services can be found on the Columbia Dining website.
        • All students with Dining Plans who are not able to access campus can go to Grace Dodge Hall at Teachers College from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
        • [Update at 12:14 PM: Lerner Hall is now closed.]
      • Library services:
        • Butler Library is open as a study hall only, and only to those who already have access to Morningside campus. All other libraries within the Morningside campus are closed. [Update at 12:14 PM: Butler Library is now closed.]
      • Administrative services:
        • Transportation: all shuttles are and will continue to operate as normal until further notice; please monitor Passio Go! and/or website for any updates.
        • Student Mail: closed but available for essential/emergency pickup and lockers; students can call (212-854-0100) or email the center ([email protected]) with request/questions.
        • Central/Admin Mail: closed; no deliveries to offices.
        • Print: Closed, no staff on site.
      • Events
        • Events at the Morningside campus may have location changes or may not be proceeding as planned. Please check with the event organizer for more information.

      Our resources:

      • The Public Safety team is available at any time of day, every day. We have increased the presence of public safety officers across all of our campuses.
      • If you need to request a safety escort—available to members of the Columbia community at any time of day—call (212) 854-2797.
      • We have resources for reporting behavior that violates our standards.
      • You can access health, well-being, and counseling offices and resources across the Columbia, Barnard, and Teachers College campuses:
        • Columbia Health for Morningside, Manhattanville and Teachers College students (most services provided via telehealth and virtual options; walk-in not available). 24/7 phone support available:
          • For urgent medical concerns, call Medical Services at 212-854-7426.
          • For urgent mental health concerns, call CPS 212-854-2878.
          • For survivor advocacy and intervention, call SVR at 212-854-4357.
      • Student Health on Haven for CUIMC students (in-person and telehealth). 24/7 phone support available (212-305-3400):
      • Faculty and staff can find mental health resources here.
      • University Life provides additional well-being resources and tips.

      (9:53 PM)

      Dear fellow members of the Columbia community,

      This is Columbia’s daily note to update you directly on campus developments. Please continue to send us feedback on what updates would be most helpful to share. Keeping our community safe and informed remains our top priority.

      Our dialogue:

      • As President Shafik wrote this morning, “since Wednesday, a small group of academic leaders has been in constructive dialogue with student organizers to find a path that would result in the dismantling of the encampment and adherence to University policies going forward. Regretfully, we were not able to come to an agreement.” Read the full statement.
      • This morning, we sent out notices to those in the west section of South Lawn asking them to remove the encampment. The activities in this area have created an unwelcoming environment for many of our Jewish students and faculty and a noisy distraction that interferes with the teaching, learning, and preparing for final exams of our professors and students.
      • We explained that if those in the encampment did not comply and leave by 2 p.m., we would need to initiate disciplinary procedures because of a number of violations of University policies. These are policies they agreed to adhere to when they joined our community.
      • In the notices we sent this morning, we outlined that students who agreed to leave and sign a form committing to abide by University policies will be allowed to complete the semester. Students who do not will be placed on suspension, ineligible to complete the semester or graduate, and will be restricted from all academic, residential, and recreational spaces.
      • We have begun suspending students as part of this next phase of our efforts to ensure safety on our campus.

      Disciplinary action:

      • Once disciplinary action is initiated, adjudication is handled by several different units within the University based on the nature of the offense.
      • The range of encampment violations is such that two separate units hold jurisdiction depending on the violation: the University Senate and the Office of University Life/Student Conduct.
      • Decisions made by the Office of University Life can be appealed to the dean of the student’s school.
      • Decisions made by the Senate can be appealed to a panel of deans.
      • The Columbia University Senate is a university-wide policy–making body representing faculty, researchers, students, staff, librarians, and alumni. The Senate makes policy on a range of issues that affect the entire university.

      Our campus:

      • At the Morningside campus, CUID-only access remains in place until circumstances allow for broader access. Thank you for your continued forbearance and a special thanks to our Department of Public Safety colleagues and colleagues from Facilities and Operations for their hard work.
      • If you have a pre-scheduled meeting or event with a non-affiliate that is critical to have on our campus and needs to be rescheduled, please email [email protected] to coordinate arrangements.
      • Continued existence of the encampment on South Lawn combined with the ongoing threat of outside affiliates entering campus may cause unannounced changes to campus and building access. Beginning today at Butler Library, CUID authorization will occur prior to entering the library. If you have any access issues, call Public Safety at (212) 854-2797.

      Our neighborhood:

      • We are aware there was a protest earlier this afternoon on Broadway, outside the campus gates. We continue to have a range of additional safety resources in place for our community.

      Other issues you have raised with us:

      Our guiding values, rules, and policies:

      • The values, rules, and policies guiding the University’s actions and decisions will likely be familiar to most of you, but they are worth resharing here.
      • Our mission to educate future generations, create new knowledge, and invest in community cannot succeed without a commitment to thoughtful, rigorous debate that respects our collective rights to learn, work, and live together, free of bigotry, intimidation, and harassment.

      Planning for exams:

      Commencement:

      • We know that you and your loved ones are wondering about plans for University Commencement and school Class Days. Offices across Columbia are committed to ensuring that all ceremonies run smoothly and that all our students and their families and friends get the celebration they deserve.
      • We are focused on maintaining a safe and respectful atmosphere for all in attendance. When there are any future updates or changes, we will share them. 
      • As President Shafik said this morning, we “do not want to deprive thousands of students and their families and friends of a graduation celebration. Please recall that many in this graduating class did not get a celebration when graduating from high school because of the pandemic, and many of them are the first in their families to earn a University degree. We owe it to all of our graduates and their loved ones to honor their achievement. We want to reassure our community who are trying to make plans that we will indeed hold a Commencement.”

      Our resources:

      (8:00 AM)

      This morning, President Minouche Shafik released a statement:

      “A small group of academic leaders has been in constructive dialogue with student organizers to find a path that would result in the dismantling of the encampment and adherence to university policies going forward.

      Regretfully, we were not able to come to an agreement.”

      Please read the full statement.

      (10:01 PM)

      Dear fellow members of the Columbia community,

      This is Columbia’s daily note to update you directly on campus developments, including the ongoing dialogue with our student protestors, and provide resources for your safety, security, and wellbeing. Please continue to send us feedback on what updates would be most helpful to share each day. Keeping our community safe and informed remains our top priority.

      Our dialogue:

      • Dialogue between university officials and student organizers is ongoing. We want to be clear: There is no truth to claims of an impending lockdown or evictions on campus.

      Our campus:

      • At the Morningside campus, CUID-only access remains in place until circumstances allow for broader access. Thank you for your continued forbearance and a special thanks to our Department of Public Safety colleagues and colleagues from Facilities and Operations for their hard work.

      Our neighborhood:

      • Currently, there is no information on any significant protest activity anticipated for outside our campus today or tomorrow.

      Other questions you have raised with us:

      Planning for exams:

      Commencement:

      • Many of you and your loved ones have written to us about our plans for University Commencement. Offices across Columbia are working to make sure that all ceremonies run smoothly and that all our students and their families and friends get the celebration they deserve.
         
      • We are focused on maintaining a safe and respectful atmosphere for all in attendance. If there are any future updates or changes, we will communicate directly to all registered guests and graduates.

      Our resources:

      (6:45 PM)

      The University is launching this daily note to update you directly on campus developments, including the ongoing dialogue with our student protestors, and provide resources for your safety, security, and wellbeing. Keeping our community safe and informed remains our top priority.

      President Shafik has been unequivocal about where we stand as a community: Antisemitism and all forms of hate have no place on our campus. At this moment, we must rededicate ourselves to our fundamental mission of learning, teaching, and research. Throughout our history, this is how we have made a lasting impact on the world.

      Our dialogue:

      • As noted overnight, the talks have shown progress and are continuing as planned.
      • A small group of faculty, administrators, and University Senators continue their dialogue with student organizers to discuss the basis for dismantling the encampment, dispersing, and following University policies going forward.
      • We remain in constant contact with this group and take heart this process is underway and continues. Our shared goal is to restore calm to our campus.

      Our campus:

      • At the Morningside campus, CUID-only access remains in place until circumstances allow for broader access.
      • We know this remains a burden on so many and appreciate everyone’s patience and forbearance. A special thank you to the public safety, facilities, and operations colleagues who are working day in and day out to support all of us.

      Our neighborhood:

      • Yesterday, in anticipation of multiple, potentially significant protest and counterprotest activities occurring outside our campus gates, COO Cas Holloway updated the community on additional safety and security measures in place. These measures include increased patrol strength to provide additional patrols of campus, more personnel for our campus escort service available to members of the Columbia community at any time of day, more staff at campus access points, and enhanced security along the campus perimeter. Please see below for further details on these important community resources.
      • On areas outside of the Morningside campus, we remain in constant contact with the New York Police Department, in particular with the leadership of the 26th Precinct, with whom we are in touch daily. The NYPD continues to have jurisdiction over street closures, crowd control measures, arrests, investigations, and other police matters.
      • We are proud to be a part of New York City. As part of our ongoing effort to remain coordinated with the city, President Shafik spoke with Mayor Eric Adams yesterday. He convened the city’s university presidents to discuss ongoing campus safety issues. We appreciate his continued partnership.

      Our resources:

      • We have dedicated additional resources and bolstered existing tools and teams to do our best to support each of you.
      • The Our Values page reaffirms the University's mission and provides resources dedicated to supporting the emotional health, wellbeing, and safety of students, faculty, and staff.
      • The University's priority is ensuring a safe community and workplace where we can learn, live, work, and express ourselves. As members of the community, we have a shared responsibility to uphold these standards and report behavior that violates these standards.
      • Request a safety escort—available to members of the Columbia community at any time of day—by calling (212) 854-2797.
      • You can access well-being offices across the Columbia, Barnard, and Teachers College campuses via Columbia Health and University Life