US education crisis: Over 70 students suspended at Columbia for simply studying in protest site

Columbia suspends over 70 students amid Gaza protests, including bystanders and journalists. (AP File Photo)

A deepening crisis has engulfed the US education system after Columbia University and its affiliate Barnard College suspended more than 70 students following a pro-Palestine protest, including students who had no involvement in the demonstration.The suspensions came just one day after the university called in the New York Police Department to remove protesters occupying Butler Library, a key campus facility.Among those targeted were students who were simply studying in the library during the protest, as well as student journalists. The Intercept reported that suspensions were issued with little to no due process and, in some cases, reversed only after public outcry and administrative review. The incident has sparked national concern about civil liberties, racial profiling, and political influence in US higher education.Students studying, not protesting, still suspendedStudents such as Samra Moosa, a 20-year-old Barnard student, were caught in the crackdown despite having no role in the protest. Moosa was in Butler Library working on assignments on May 7 when around 100 protesters entered the building at approximately 3:15 p.m. As reported by The Intercept, Moosa attempted to leave but found exits blocked by protesters and campus security. She feared being misidentified as a protester, particularly as a brown, Muslim woman, and eventually left via a side exit after showing her ID to a Public Safety officer who then photographed it.By 6:02 p.m., Columbia Public Safety issued an alert stating that Butler Library was closed and must be cleared. However, Moosa had already left two hours earlier without receiving any evacuation order. On May 8, Moosa received an email from Barnard Dean Leslie Grinage suspending her “effective immediately” based on claims from Columbia Public Safety that she had participated in the disruption. She was given 48 hours to vacate her on-campus housing and lost access to her meal card.No chance to respond, no evidence providedMoosa’s appeal emphasized her innocence and the emotional toll of the accusation. As quoted by The Intercept, she wrote, “I am deeply concerned that I have been mistakenly and unfairly identified as a protest participant,” adding that she believed assumptions were made based on her ethnic background and religion. After a meeting with Dean Grinage, her suspension was lifted late on May 10, but the college warned it could reimpose sanctions at any time.Faculty members have condemned the suspensions. Joseph Howley, associate professor of classics, told The Intercept that “hasty punishments and violations of due process are exactly what we would expect when we allow our disciplinary and public safety policies to be dictated by political forces.” Yannik Thiem, associate professor of religion, said the measures seemed punitive and presumed guilt, as reported by The Intercept.Trump administration support and political pressureThe protest and disciplinary actions occurred amid growing political scrutiny. The Trump administration, through its Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, applauded Columbia’s actions and praised acting president Claire Shipman. As reported by The Intercept, the task force stated it was “encouraged by Acting President Shipman’s strong and resolute statement regarding the unlawful, violent and disgraceful takeover of Butler library.”Howley linked the university’s response to federal pressure, telling The Intercept that institutions may struggle to uphold values “when authoritarians hold a billion-dollar gun to [their] head.” The Columbia chapter of the American Association of University Professors also criticized the lack of due process, emphasizing the need for fair treatment for all students.This episode, along with previous suspensions of 53 students after a similar protest in April, has raised urgent questions about student rights and institutional integrity across US campuses.