Read the Notice From Columbia Administrators

April 29, 2024 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK NOTICE TO ENCAMPMENT Columbia is committed to the well-being and safety of all students, and follows two principles in managing public speech on campus: the right of members of the community to engage in protest and free expression, and the right of members of the community to pursue their academic activities without interruptions and free of harassment and discrimination. These principles are embodied in the Rules of University Conduct and other policies governing conduct on campus. As you are probably aware, the dialogue between the University and student leaders of the encampment is, regrettably, at an impasse. The current unauthorized encampment and disruption on Columbia University's campus is creating an unwelcoming environment for members of our community. External actors have also contributed to this environment, especially around our gates, causing safety concerns – including for our neighbors. Exams are beginning and thousands of your peers are due to graduate. These are among the most significant aspects of students' academic programs. Many of this year's graduates were deprived of a graduation celebration from high school because of the pandemic. For many of their families, this will be the first time anyone in their family has completed college and received a degree. We urge you to remove the encampment so that we do not deprive your fellow students, their families and friends of this momentous occasion. The University will offer an alternative venue for demonstrations after the exam period and commencement have concluded. If the encampment is not removed, we will need to initiate disciplinary procedures because of a number of violations of university policies. These are policies you agreed to adhere to when you joined our community. We have explained that this encampment violates multiple University policies, including: • The Rules of University of Conduct • • • • • Disruptive Behavior (Standards and Discipline, pp. 4-9) University Policy, Violation (Standards and Discipline, pp. 4-9) including but not limited to operations policies regarding “tenting” Failure to Comply (Standards and Discipline, pp. 4-9) Vandalism/Damage to Property (Standards and Discipline, pp. 4-9) Access/Egress, Unauthorized (Standards and Discipline, pp. 4-9) Harassment and/or violation of the Columbia University Non-Discrimination Statement (Standards and Discipline, pp. 4-9) Please promptly gather your belongings and leave the encampment. If you voluntarily leave by 2 p.m., identify yourself to a University official, and sign the provided form where you commit to abide by all University policies through June 30, 2025, or the date of the conferral of your degree, whichever is earlier, you will be eligible to complete the semester in good standing 515 West 116th Street 212-854-4900 New York, NY 10027 columbia.edu

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK (and will not be placed on suspension) as long as you adhere to that commitment. We want to do all that we can to allow our graduating students to finish their studies. It is important for you to know that the University has already identified many students in the encampment. If you do not identify yourself upon leaving and sign the form now, you will not be eligible to sign and complete the semester in good standing. If you do not leave by 2 p.m., you will be suspended pending further investigation. Please understand that during interim suspension: 1. You are restricted from all Columbia University campuses, facilities and property, including all academic, residential and recreational spaces. Your CUID will no longer be valid and will be deactivated. You will need to contact your Dean of Students to make arrangements to obtain your personal belongings. 2. You are ineligible to participate in any Columbia University classes and academic or extracurricular activities. You are not permitted to complete the Spring 2024 semester, including participate in classes or exams in-person or remotely or otherwise submit assignments or engage in any activities affiliated with Columbia University. You may lose the semester. If you are scheduled to graduate, you are no longer eligible. 3. If you need to conduct any official business on Columbia University property, you must notify the Department of Public Safety, at publicsafety@columbia.edu If you are a student at an affiliated institution, the University will notify your home institution. We very much hope that you will leave the encampment and sign the form on your departure. If you decide not to, the University may pursue action under all of the rules and policies described above. Sanctions include probation, access restriction, suspension for a term or more and expulsion. We regret that we need to take these actions, but we must restore order to the campus so that all students can complete their work for the term, study for exams, and feel welcome in the community. The University has closed the Morningside campus to individuals without Columbia University Identification. Anyone on the University's campus without valid Columbia University identification, on the University's West Lawn, or establishing an encampment anywhere else on Columbia University property is trespassing. If you are currently involved in a disciplinary process or have already received discipline, you are not eligible for the arrangements described in the form and may not be eligible to complete the semester in good standing. In addition, if you are charged with discrimination or harassment regarding conduct occurring in the encampment, we will continue to address those concerns through our disciplinary processes, and you will no longer be eligible for the arrangements in the form. 515 West 116th Street New York, NY 10027 212-854-4900 columbia.edu