Columbia University has suspended or expelled over 70 students for their role in anti-Israel campus protests and a library takeover earlier this year. The crackdown comes after months of federal pressure and a major funding loss due to the school’s handling of antisemitism.
Key Facts:
- Columbia disciplined at least 70 students involved in anti-Israel protests and a campus library takeover.
- Most were suspended for one to three years; some face permanent expulsion.
- Roughly 80 students were arrested in May 2025 during a protest that disrupted finals week.
- The Trump administration pulled $400 million in March over Columbia’s failure to address antisemitism.
- Federal agencies say Columbia acted with “deliberate indifference” toward Jewish students.
The Rest of The Story:
Columbia University has issued suspensions and expulsions to more than 70 students who participated in disruptive anti-Israel demonstrations, including a chaotic library takeover in May 2025.
The crackdown follows a year-long series of protests that drew national attention and criticism.
Sources told the New York Post that most students will face suspensions ranging from one to three years. Some will be expelled.
The protest occurred during the university’s finals week and resulted in approximately 80 arrests.
Earlier, hundreds of arrests were made during other campus clashes involving students and police.
In a public statement, Columbia defended the disciplinary action, writing: “Disruptions to academic activities are in violation of University policies and Rules, and such violations will necessarily generate consequences.”
The school also praised its Judicial Board for handling the matter with “speed” and “equitable resolution.”
The university has been under intense scrutiny since becoming a hotspot for anti-Israel protests following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in 2023.
During one takeover, a university employee was reportedly held hostage.
At the time, Columbia declined to disclose how many students faced any consequences, even as federal officials demanded answers.
After the Trump administration revoked $400 million in federal funds, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) accused Columbia of failing to respond to Jewish students’ complaints and acting with “deliberate indifference.”
The school has since pledged reforms, including redefining antisemitism and promising compliance.
Still, the Department of Education has petitioned to revoke its accreditation.
Columbia University has suspended for 1-3 years or expelled more than 70 students for their roles in the disruptive Butler Library protest during finals.
Good. They deserve it.
A spokesperson said, “Our institution must focus on delivering on its academic mission for our… pic.twitter.com/FhvaFBHfD8
— Steve McGuire (@sfmcguire79) July 22, 2025
Commentary:
It’s about time Columbia took serious disciplinary action. But we’re left asking—why now?
Where was this sense of urgency when Jewish students were being harassed on their own campus, or when buildings were taken over and university staff reportedly endangered?
Let’s not pretend Columbia suddenly found its moral compass. The school acted only after the Trump administration cut off $400 million in funding.
And it took a threat to its accreditation before the university started implementing reforms.
For too long, Columbia turned a blind eye to rising antisemitism among its student body and faculty.
The administration’s early silence and lack of meaningful action essentially greenlit the chaos we saw in 2024 and 2025. Jewish students were left to fend for themselves.
The school now touts its disciplinary process as “equitable” and praises its own “speed.” But where was that speed when protests raged for months, and antisemitic rhetoric became commonplace?
Let’s be real: Columbia is still a far-left institution run by leaders who, until recently, showed little interest in fairness or protecting Jewish students.
This latest move feels more like damage control than genuine reform. A few suspensions and expulsions don’t change the underlying culture.
Real accountability means firing faculty who encouraged the chaos, shutting down extremist campus groups, and setting firm boundaries going forward.
If Columbia wants to be taken seriously, it needs long-term reforms—and watchdogs to ensure they stick.
Anything less is just PR.
The Bottom Line:
Columbia’s decision to suspend or expel over 70 students may look like a tough stance, but it came only after federal funding was yanked and accreditation was threatened.
The university is trying to clean up a mess of its own making.
While this is a step forward, real trust won’t be restored without sweeping reforms and sustained accountability.
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