NYC campus extends remote classes amid Gaza protests
Columbia University has extended remote classes at its main New York City campus for the rest of term amid tense Gaza war protests that have spread to US colleges nationwide.
The hybrid learning comes as some students have reported antisemitic harassment around Columbia’s campus.
Some 133 were arrested on Monday in protests at New York University.
Dozens of arrests were also made in rallies at Yale, while Harvard has restricted public access to the campus.
Gaza war protests have also cropped up at colleges in the US Midwest and on the West Coast, where one campus has been closed.
When asked on Monday about the reports of hatred on campuses, President Joe Biden said he condemned both “the antisemitic protests” as well as “those who don’t understand what’s going on with the Palestinians”.
Columbia provost Angela Olinto announced students would have the option of attending classes remotely at the Ivy League institution’s main Morningside Campus until the last day of classes on 29 April.
“Safety is our highest priority,” she said in an email on Monday night.