In response to escalating tensions during pro-Palestinian demonstrations, Columbia University officials have made the decision to shift all classes to a virtual format.
President Nemat “Minouche” Shafik announced this move in an effort to calm the situation and allow for a collective reflection on the next steps to be taken.
Faculty and staff are encouraged to work remotely, and students who do not reside on campus are advised to stay away for the time being.
Following the authorization from Shafik, over 100 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested on campus as the New York police cleared out an encampment established by students protesting against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Shafik acknowledged the deep moral distress felt by many individuals regarding the conflict in the Middle East.
It is crucial to prevent any single group from imposing their terms and disrupting significant events like graduation to further their agenda.
{Original|Article|Post|Source|Link} from www.aljazeera.com