Campus Security At Columbia Could Soon Arrest Students: Report

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY – Facing another semester of unrest over the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, Columbia University President Minouche Shafik is reportedly considering giving the school’s 290 campus security personnel new powers, including the power to arrest students, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.

Major protests erupted at Columbia last fall, after the simmering conflict between Israel and Hamas took a devastating turn. On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas killed more than 1,000 Israelis, most of whom were civilians. In response, Israel declared it would destroy Hamas, and its ongoing campaign to do so has resulted in the deaths of about 40,000 Palestinians, although that figure is contested.

While protests in support of Palestine and related confrontations over the war between Israel and Hamas have taken place at college campuses across the United States, demonstrations at Columbia were particularly contentious during the last school year.

Shafik, who became president of Columbia in July of 2023, was widely condemned – or praised – after she asked the New York Police Department to intervene when protestors occupied Hamilton Hall in the spring. Dozens of protestors were arrested.

As the anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks approaches – and with the violence in the Middle East showing no signs of abating – Columbia appears to be preparing for another semester of unrest.

The school is considering adding “peace officers,” to its security forces, according to the Journal.

While the proposal is still in “early stages,” it could lead to a security force at the school that has the power to “arrest and physically contact a student.”

Currently, campus security is prohibited from arresting or touching students, except under “exceptional circumstances,” such as self-defense.

At present, if protests become unruly Columbia administrators must contact faculty leaders before calling the NYPD, which does have the authority to arrest protestors.

Other items, including the addition of security personnel, are being debated.

It’s unclear whether the security changes would need to be approved by Columbia’s faculty or its board.

Administrators are reportedly concerned that faculty, which condemned Shafik’s decision to use the NYPD to break up demonstrations at Hamilton Hall in the spring, could go on strike if the security proposals are adopted.

As of today, the fate of the security measures remains unclear.

Columbia’s fall semester begins on Sept. 3.