Columbia punishes students involved in pro-Palestinian protest

Driving the news: Columbia issued sanctions to students involved in a pro-Palestinian protest at Butler Library in May, in which at least 80 people were detained, as well as to those partaking in an encampment during its alumni weekend in spring last year.

• More than 70 people were disciplined for the Butler Hall protest, a person with knowledge of the situation told Axios.
• "Disruptions to academic activities are in violation of University policies and Rules, and such violations will necessarily generate consequences," Columbia said in a statement.

Zoom in: Student group Columbia University Apartheid Divest said nearly 80 students were informed Monday that they had been either suspended or expelled.

• "The disciplinary letters demand suspended students submit apologies in order to return to campus in one to three years, which some students have stated they will refuse," the group said in a statement.

• For those who refuse to apologize, the suspensions will convert into expulsions, per the student group.

Zoom out: In March, Columbia also issued similar punishments to students involved in the occupation of a campus building during protests against the Israel-Hamas war last spring.

More from Axios:

• Columbia caves to Trump demands to regain $400 million in funding
• Columbia expels some students involved in building takeover in 2024 protests
• Trump admin cracks down on pro-Palestinian protests at colleges