Columbia University said on Tuesday that it was disciplining dozens of pro-Palestinian student protesters who seized part of the school’s main library during a demonstration in early May that led to multiple arrests.
Following the protest, the university began an investigation into rules violations, banned participants from the campus and placed them on interim suspension, it said. It issued its final determinations on Tuesday.
Columbia said in a statement that the sanctions included probation, suspensions ranging from one year to three years, the revocation of degrees, and expulsions. It did not specify how it disciplined any individuals.
“Disruptions to academic activities are in violation of University policies and Rules, and such violations will necessarily generate consequences,” the university said in the statement announcing the actions. Donald Trump has targeted universities including Columbia since returning to the White House in January over the pro-Palestinian student protest movement that roiled campuses last year.
Columbia for Palestine, a pro-Palestinian group at the school, said on Tuesday that 80 students were informed on Monday about their punishments. It said the disciplinary action marked “the most suspensions for a single political protest in Columbia campus history” and exceeded past disciplinary actions announced against people over other protests.
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