Columbia University in New York has officially reopened its campus after weeks of unrest that saw anti-Israel agitators seize a university building and hundreds of arrests.
On Thursday, the university informed faculty that they could return to work on the Morningside campus and would be able to access offices as early as Friday. The university said it is also working on a plan that would allow the campus to reopen to students.
The announcement acknowledges, however, that the prestigious school, marred by anti-Semitic protests, remains a possible target for future disruption.
“We are wary of any further disruption to our university mission and are carefully assessing the risk that tensions and activities in the city and across the country could spill over onto our campus and threaten the safety of our community. We are also concerned that Columbia remains a target for individuals and groups who do not have the best interests of our students in mind,” the university said.
MORE THAN 2,000 ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATORS WERE ARRESTED DURING ANTI-SEMITIC PROTESTS ON AMERICAN COLLEGE CAMPUSES
Columbia University in New York has officially reopened its campus after weeks of unrest during which anti-Israel agitators took over a university building. (Pierre Gerber)
In the statement, the university acknowledges that closing its campus while students are scheduled to begin their final exams on Friday has been “very difficult” and “a real ordeal.”
“Dear members of the Columbia community, we know that the restrictions on Columbia’s Morningside campus have been very difficult for many of you and we are working on a plan to reopen the campus as quickly as possible,” the statement said.
“In this regard, starting tomorrow, Friday, May 3, faculty based on the Morningside campus will be able to access offices and other spaces on the Morningside campus. Please watch for an announcement soon with more details on access to the Morningside campus. Morningside will continue to have only one door open, at 116th and Amsterdam,” he continued.
NYPD BODYCAM VIDEO SHOWS OFFICERS REVERSE UNIVERSITY OF COLUMBIA BUILDING TAKEN OVER BY ANTI-ISRAEL PROTESTERS
The university's letter states that “the safety and security of our students, faculty and staff is our top priority.”
“Our decision to temporarily restrict the campus is one that we take fully into account as the loss of shared spaces, libraries, dining halls and offices has been a real ordeal,” the text adds.
Students and other agitators have established what is known as a Gaza solidarity encampment at Columbia University in New York. (Getty Images)
Columbia announced its campus would remain closed “until circumstances permit” after students occupied Hamilton Hall Monday evening. (Rashid Umar Abbasi for Fox News Digital)
And “expanding faculty access in the future puts teaching, mentoring, and research on a better footing for the end of the term.” We will continue to restrict access to the broader community with specific exceptions for laboratory staff and others engaged in practice-based work. By temporarily restricting the campus, we are able to ensure the proper functioning of University units that cannot operate remotely (dining halls, residence halls, research laboratories and other entities).
“The Morningside campus is the heart of our community and we are committed to returning it to you all as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience and support,” the statement concluded.
After nearly two weeks of unrest at Columbia University, administrators changed their approach and arrested hundreds of anti-Israel agitators on campus. These agitators took over a university building, threw the American flag there and raised the Palestinian flag in its place, among other demonstrations.
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On Wednesday, the school took action against those shouting anti-Semitic slogans and invited NYPD officers to campus.
They arrested hundreds of people.
Columbia said that due to “serious security concerns,” it had “no choice” but to lock down its campus and request assistance from the New York Police Department after the building was occupied.