Columbia University announced Wednesday it has made significant progress in negotiations with student protesters occupying the campus in a demonstration related to the Gaza war.
In a statement, the university said students have agreed to remove a substantial number of tents from the encampment on the main campus lawn as part of an interim deal. In exchange, Columbia extended by 48 hours the original midnight deadline for the protesters to fully dismantle the encampment.
"We're encouraged by the constructive dialogue and significant concessions from both sides," Columbia President Minouche Shafik said. "While we respect students' right to peaceful protest, allowing the camp to remain indefinitely risked creating an unsafe environment that disrupts university operations."
Under the agreement, protesters have committed to ensuring only Columbia-affiliated individuals remain involved, adherence to fire safety codes, and prohibiting discriminatory speech or harassment. The university reaffirmed its opposition to intimidation of any students.
The demonstrations have sparked controversy, with some Jewish and pro-Israel students expressing concerns over antisemitic rhetoric and feeling unsafe.
