Columbia U moves to hybrid classes until end of term amid massive Gaza Camp protest against Israel

Students at Columbia University will have to switch to hybrid learning until the end of term due to the massive Gaza Camp protest against Israel raging on at the main campus on 116th St. and Broadway.

Students were told that hybrid learning will be in place, save for classes where it's not possible due to equipment required, until last day of classes on April 29.

The move comes after President Minouche Shafik cancelled all in-person classes on Monday to "deescalate the rancor and give us all a chance to consider next steps." Many have been calling for her resignation.

According to a statement from Provost Angela Olinto and Chief Operating Officer Cas Holloway, all courses at the Morningside main campus, save for those in Arts/Practice-based programs, will be made hybrid, so long as classroom technology permits.

Those in Arts/Practice-based programs will remain in-person with "generous accommodations supported by school deans and staff."

The Medical Center and courses at the nearby Manhattanville campus will also remain in-person, though students will be granted accommodations "based on religious reasons, or approved disability."
 

"Safety is our highest priority as we strive to support our students' learning and all the required academic operations," the Provost and COO wrote. "It's vital that teaching and learning continue during this time."

"All faculty whose classrooms are located on the main Morningside campus and equipped with hybrid capabilities should enable them to provide virtual learning options to students who need such a learning modality," they continued.

"Faculty in other classrooms or teaching spaces that do not have capabilities for offering hybrid options should hold classes remotely if there are student requests for virtual participation. If the class does not permit adapting to the remote offering format, we encourage faculty to provide other accommodations liberally to students who have requested support for virtual learning this week."

In recent days, protests on campus have escalated, with hundreds of students and faculty refusing to back down, despite numerous calls to do so from university leadership and law enforcement.

In a statement released Monday, Shafik noted that "there have been too many examples of intimidating and harassing behavior on our campus," adding, "we cannot have one group dictate terms and attempt to disrupt important milestones like graduation to advance their point of view."

She vowed to "try to bring this crisis to a resolution," though it remains to be seen just how that will be achieved.