Stories, announcements, and updates from the 20th President of Columbia Univesity, Minouche Shafik.
CUIMC’s Katrina Armstrong has agreed to serve as interim president.
President Shafik offers a midsummer update on several key measures in preparation for the new academic year.
President Minouche Shafik congratulates the Class of 2024 and reflects on the year and its many challenges.
"It is going to take time to heal, but I know we can do that together. I hope that we can use the weeks ahead to restore calm, allow students to complete their academic work, and honor their achievements at Commencement."
"A small group of academic leaders has been in constructive dialogue with student organizers to find a path that would result in the dismantling of the encampment and adherence to University policies going forward. Regretfully, we were not able to come to an agreement."
We support the conversations that are ongoing with student leaders of the encampment, under the guidance of academic leaders. Our goal is a safe resolution of this crisis.
“The encampment raises serious safety concerns, disrupts campus life, and has created a tense and at times hostile environment for many members of our community. It is essential that we move forward with a plan to dismantle it,” wrote President Shafik.
To deescalate the rancor and give us all a chance to consider next steps, I am announcing that all classes will be held virtually on Monday. During the coming days, a working group of Deans, university administrators and faculty members will try to bring this crisis to a resolution.
Here are the full opening statements from Columbia representatives before the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
In statement, President Shafik calls March 24 event "an abhorrent breach of our values" and describes "actions which have been underway as a result."
We will not tolerate unauthorized disruptions or harassing behavior at admitted student events. I ask you to join me in welcoming our new students in a spirit of civility and kindness.
The group has released a report on the rules on demonstrations, the first in a series of recommendations that it will offer.