Progressive Columbia alums vow to pull funding over arrests – make no mention of antisemitism
A group of graduates from Columbia University’s School of General Studies vowed to pull their financial support in response to the arrest of student protesters last week – but made zero mention about rampant antisemitism at the Ivy League school.
The letter viewed by The Post invited graduates from the General Studies program to “unequivocally condemn” the arrest of 100 students at the so-called Gaza Solidarity Encampment on the uptown campus last Thursday.
The scathing missive, which will be sent to administrators on Wednesday, referred to the ongoing protest as “courageous and necessary,” and insisted on “amnesty and affirmative support” for the arrested protesters.
“Until then, we pledge to withhold all financial and operational support … from the University, the School of General Studies, and the joint and dual degree programs,” read the letter, which as of Tuesday was not signed by any individual former students.
The letter did not mention ongoing fears about antisemitism threats and intimidation on campus — a notable omission given that the General Studies program includes a dual degree with the List College of the Jewish Theological Seminary.
In the days since the mass arrest, Jewish students reported being taunted and even physically harassed by some of the anti-Israel protesters.
One campus rabbi even warned Jewish students to leave campus in order to avoid antisemitic violence.
Late Monday, Columbia announced plans to move the final classes of the semester to a hybrid schedule due to ongoing fears about unrest among students and faculty.
The university also beefed up security measures with guards from private contractors posted at entrances to the campus, which could only be accessed by university ID holders.
Antisemitism controversy at Columbia University: Key events
- Columbia University President Minouche Shafik stepped down on Aug. 14 after facing backlash over the Ivy League’s anti-Israel protests.
- More than 280 anti-Israel demonstrators were cuffed at Columbia and the City of New York campuses in a “massive” NYPD operation a few months ago.
- Over 100 people were nabbed at the Ivy League campus after cops responded to Columbia’s request to help oust a destructive mob that had illegally taken over the Hamilton Hall academic building in April, NYC Mayor Eric Adams and police said.
- Hizzoner blamed the on-campus chaos on insurgents who have a “history of escalating situations and trying to create chaos” instead of protesting peacefully.
- More than 100 Columbia professors signed a letter defending students who support the “military action” by Hamas.
The General Studies program — which was first established in 1947 for GIs returning from World War II — includes about 2,200 undergraduate students, according to its website.
In addition to the JTS program, the General Studies program also encompasses dual degrees with the Sciences Po in France, Trinity College in Ireland, and Tel Aviv University in Israel.
As of Tuesday morning, it was unclear how many graduates had signed the letter and rescinded their financial support for the school.
