Columbia University in New York has set a deadline for administrators and anti-Israel protesters to reach an agreement to end the encampment on campus. University President Minouche Shafik initially set a midnight deadline for an agreement with student organizers that includes dismantling the encampment, dispersing, and following university policies going forward.
Shafik stated that if discussions are unsuccessful, administrators would have to consider alternative options for clearing the West Lawn and restoring calm to campus so that students can complete the term and graduate. The university has already transitioned to hybrid learning for the remainder of the semester due to safety concerns sparked by the protest.
Following the expiration of the midnight deadline, a student demonstrator announced an extension of the negotiation deadline to 8 a.m. The university's student newspaper, the Columbia Spectator, reported this development. Subsequently, around 3:15 a.m., a campus spokesperson released a statement indicating that university officials and protest organizers were working on four main agreements. There is now a 48-hour window for negotiations, with no mention of an 8 a.m. deadline extension.
The terms being negotiated include students removing a significant number of tents, ensuring that only Columbia students are involved in the protest, compliance with FDNY safety implications, and a commitment to maintaining a welcoming and non-discriminatory environment at the encampment.
