Parents of Columbia students are encouraged to demand refunds after the university canceled all in-person classes as it struggles to control pro-Palestinian protests.
Embattled President Minouche Shafik announced that remote learning will remain in place for the university’s 37,000 students until the end of the spring semester amid ongoing tensions.
Unrest at the university increased on Monday during the main Jewish holiday of Passover, as protesters camped out for a seventh day in an attempt to urge the school to divest from companies with financial ties to Israel.
“Safety is our top priority as we strive to support our students’ learning and all required academic operations,” said the Ivy League school, which charged $66,139 for full tuition during the 2022-23 academic year.
The agreement will last at least until April 29, the last day of school, and teachers are encouraged to “generously provide other accommodations to students who have requested support for virtual learning this week.”
Parents of Columbia students are encouraged to demand refunds after the university canceled all in-person classes as it struggles to control pro-Palestinian protests. Groups of protesters are seen on the ground on April 23.
Remote learning will remain in effect until the end of the spring semester amid current tensions. Protesters are photographed at the university on Monday, April 23.
Embattled President Minouche Shafik, photographed testifying before Congress on April 17, now faces calls to resign amid the unrest.
The policy is in effect at all four Columbia campuses and comes at a crucial time when many students are preparing for final exams.
The decision has been met with fury by many, who have accused Columbia of failing to protect Jewish students.
“If a parent has a child in Columbia, they should demand a refund and then file a breach of contract lawsuit,” Gov. Mike Huckabee wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
He posted in response to a clip of researcher Shai Davidai being banned from school after he organized a pro-Israel counter-protest.
University sources said he was denied entry after refusing to hold the rally in a designated area.
“Today, a degree from Columbia is worth no more than a roll of toilet paper,” said New York Councilwoman Inna Vernikov. ‘Parents: definitely demand a refund and compensation!’
The anger is only fueling calls from both sides demanding the resignation of embattled Columbia President Shafik.
Representatives Elise Stefanik, Tim Scott and John Fetterman are among the lawmakers urging her to resign.
“These ‘protests’ are anti-Semitic, unconscionable and dangerous,” Fetterman said.
The decision to suspend in-person classes has been met with fury by many, who have accused Columbia of failing to protect Jewish students. Pro-Palestinian protesters are seen in Columbia on April 22.
Unrest has been escalating on campus since last week with more than 100 pro-Palestinian activists arrested. Police are pictured before a press conference on April 22.
Columbia charged $66,139 for full tuition during the 2022-23 academic year
‘Add some tiki torches and it’s Charlottesville for these Jewish students. To Columbia President Minouche Shafik: Do your job or resign so Columbia can find someone to do it.
Meanwhile, Stefanik said the campus has been overtaken by “anarchy” and urged Shafik to resign.
The embattled president also drew criticism from pro-Palestinian supporters following her disastrous testimony before Congress about the rise of anti-Semitism on campuses.
The appearance sparked rival protests on campus with more than 100 pro-Palestinian protesters arrested.
It comes as several high-profile donors expressed outrage at the situation, with many withdrawing funds or renewing their commitment to stop supporting the school.
Billionaire Robert Kraft was among those so shocked by the scenes that he decided to withdraw his financial support from the institution.
The school that I love so much, the one that welcomed me and gave me so many opportunities, is no longer an institution that I recognize,” the New England Patriots owner and Columbia graduate said Monday.
“I am deeply saddened by the virulent hatred that continues to grow on campus and across our country.”
Unrest at the university increased on Monday during the main Jewish holiday of Passover, when protesters camped out to urge the school to divest from companies with ties to Israel.
Pro-Palestinian protesters gather on the campus of Columbia University in New York City on April 23, 2024.
Similar camps have sprung up at universities across the country, including Yale and NYU (pictured).
Lawmakers, including Gov. Mike Huckabee and New York Councilwoman Inna Vernikov, have encouraged parents to request refunds from Columbia.
High-profile donors have spoken out about the protests, and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft withdrew his funding.
Protests have continued since Shafik testified before Congress about anti-Semitism on campus.
Hedge fund boss Leon Cooperman did not hold back in addressing the escalating protests.
‘These kids are fucking crazy. “They don’t understand what they’re doing or what they’re talking about,” Cooperman, the son of Polish-Jewish immigrants, told CNN on Monday, adding that the protesters “have to be controlled.”
Sources told New York Post That billionaire businessman Len Blavatnik was also mulling the possibility of cutting his funding.
The outlet reports that Cooperman, Blavatnik and Kraft have donated $100 million in total to Columbia.
Demonstrations in Columbia Park have been going on since last week.
Similar camps have sprung up at universities across the country, including Yale and NYU, as schools struggle to determine where to draw the line between allowing free expression and maintaining safe, inclusive campuses.