In a post on X, Columbia University Assistant Professor Shai Davidai reported that he received a message from COO Cas Holloway saying he has been allowed back on campus after a month of being denied entry due to safety concerns.
"No apology. No explanation," he wrote in the post. "I believe this is a perfect example of 'too little, too late.'"
On April 23, Davidai's security card was deactivated and campus security prevented Davidai from entering the main campus due to the possibility of being harmed by violent pro-Palestinian protesters who had illegally camped on the main lawn.
In response to Holloway, Davidai wrote: "I hope that one day, when you get a chance to reflect back on the past seven months, you will realize how morally wrong it was to deny me entry to campus and your own personal responsibility in doing so." He continued, "I hope that the administration realizes that just because the symptom (i.e., the illegal encampment) has been treated for now, it doesn't mean that you have dealt with the root cause."
I was just informed by the COO of @Columbia that beginning tomorrow, I will be granted entry to main campus.
No apology. No explanation.
I believe this a perfect example of "too little, too late".
Nevertheless, I am still willing to work with this administration to fight… pic.twitter.com/9xpgqyZQXN
— Shai Davidai (@ShaiDavidai) May 19, 2024
He pointed to the university's congressional investigation and two civil rights lawsuits while warning Holloway that Jewish students do not feel safe on campus and that "the school needs to come up with a concrete plan on how to deal with the pro-Hamas professors and the pro-Hamas organizations."
