After consultations with the Executive Committee of the University Senate, a new Interim University Policy for Safe Demonstrations is now in place in conjunction with the current special events policy. The goal of this interim policy is to preserve freedom of speech while ensuring that Columbia can continue to fulfill its mission as a center of research and learning for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students.
This interim policy preserves the right of members of the Columbia community to be heard and streamlines the process to reduce the timeframe necessary for approval of a demonstration. By clearly defining place and timing, the interim policy also accommodates members of the community who do not want to participate to work around these events.
To ensure that academic life on campus is not disrupted by demonstrations, the interim policy does not allow protest activity in academic spaces. It covers individuals as well as groups, making it inclusive of all types of demonstrations, and provides consequences for violations by groups and individuals. The interim policy also provides a review mechanism through the Senate Executive Committee.
Please read the full Interim University Policy for Safe Demonstrations.
