Barnard suspends at least 53 students over Columbia anti-Israel protest: report
Barnard College has suspended at least 53 students for their participation at the large anti-Israel protest at Columbia University, according to a new report.The students have been evicted from the campus and lost access to most of its facilities, with those who were among the 108 arrested at Columbia last week given only 15 minutes to gather their belongings and leave the student housing area, the Columbia Spector reports.
“Students on interim suspension no longer have access to most Barnard buildings, but they remain eligible for College services, including healthcare, mental health counseling, and academic support,” the school said in a statement about the suspension.“The Dean of the College also has made food available to students on interim suspension and is otherwise assisting students find alternative housing arrangements when needed,” it added.
Several of the affected students have slammed the college for its decision, with senior Izzy Lapidus — an aspiring elementary school teacher — calling the suspensions “vile.” “The majority of students — which has been the case for months — who are organizing or putting themselves on the line are students of color or low-income students of color.I think what Barnard is doing is so vile,” Lapidus told the Spector.Lapidus challenged her suspension in a letter to Barnard Dean Leslie Grinage, asking for it to be overturned so she can resume her courses.
“I respectfully request that you immediately restore access to my housing and my classes, and that this access remains in place until we have a chance to meet,” Lapidus wrote.Barnard College did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
Other suspended students, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, claimed the school was not helping them find alternative places to stay and leaving them high and dry to make their own way home or find a different place to live.Some also claimed that security staff have pictures of th...