New York, NY – Barnard College has expelled a third student in connection with campus protests over the Israel-Gaza conflict, further intensifying tensions between student activists and university administrators. The student, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, was reportedly involved in the occupation of Columbia University’s Hamilton Hall in April 2024, an incident that has sparked heated debates over free speech, campus activism, and university disciplinary measures. According to The Jerusalem Post, the student’s expulsion follows similar actions taken against other protest participants.
Escalating Tensions and Institutional Crackdowns
The latest expulsion comes amid growing scrutiny of anti-Israel protests at Columbia and Barnard, which some university officials and outside critics have labeled as disruptive. Student activist group Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD) condemned the decision, arguing that the expulsion is an attempt to intimidate protesters and suppress student activism. CUAD also claimed that negotiations with Barnard administrators have broken down, alleging that the administration altered meeting terms and threatened mass arrests during a recent sit-in, The Jerusalem Post reported.
Barnard President Laura Ann Rosenbury defended the college’s actions, stating that while the administration chose not to involve law enforcement in de-escalating the protests, they did not agree to grant amnesty to students involved in unauthorized demonstrations. “We were clear that there would be disciplinary consequences for those who participated in the forcible entry,” she wrote in an op-ed, as cited by The Jerusalem Post.
University officials maintain that while peaceful protest is protected, unlawful actions—such as taking over campus buildings—will not be tolerated. According to Fox News, Columbia faculty members have also criticized the administration’s handling of the protests, with some professors calling for stronger measures against those they describe as “anti-Israel agitators” disrupting campus life.
Federal Investigation and Campus Response
The protests at Columbia and Barnard have drawn national attention, particularly as the U.S. Department of Education investigates allegations of antisemitism at Columbia University. Federal agencies are now considering whether to withhold $51 million in contracts from the university and review its eligibility for more than $5 billion in federal grants, The Associated Press reported.
A Broader Debate on Campus Activism
The situation at Barnard and Columbia is part of a larger national conversation about free speech, the limits of student activism, and the role of universities in responding to political protests. As demonstrations over the Gaza conflict continue on college campuses across the country, administrators face increasing pressure from both activists and outside institutions to take decisive action.
With more disciplinary measures potentially forthcoming, Barnard College’s response to the protests will likely remain a focal point in discussions about student activism, university governance, and the broader implications of political expression in higher education.
