The Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine protest at Columbia University aims to convey frustration with the administration for what they believe is a disregard for governance norms and due process. While the core issue is the Israel-Palestine conflict, faculty members are more concerned about the administration’s response and lack of sensitivity. The increased presence of the New York Police Department on campus, in response to the protest, has drawn criticism from faculty who believe it is a violation of the university’s autonomy and that the administration should not rely on NYPD as a private police force.
One of the key chants at the protest is “Cops off our campus,” signaling a rejection of external law enforcement intervention on campus grounds. The university president, Nemat “Minouche” Shafik, defended the decision to bring in more officers, stating that it was necessary for maintaining order. However, faculty members argue that this move undermines the university’s own public safety measures and independence. The lack of consultation with the faculty senate before involving the NYPD has led to accusations of a breakdown in the university’s governance mechanisms.
In response to the concerns raised by faculty members, Columbia’s senate voted to launch an investigation into the school’s leadership for the alleged violation of due process rights of students and professors. The faculty member interviewed by Yahoo News expressed disbelief at the lack of regard for the university’s established processes, regardless of personal opinions on the Israel-Palestine conflict. The faculty believe that the administration’s actions are extreme and are disrupting the normal functioning of the university.
The faculty member emphasized that the protest is not solely about the Israel-Palestine conflict but is more deeply rooted in a larger issue of governance and procedural integrity. There is a collective frustration among faculty members with what they perceive as the administration’s high-handedness and insensitivity to their concerns. The use of external law enforcement on campus has further escalated tensions and eroded trust between the faculty and the administration, leading to calls for a return to established governance norms.
The breakdown of communication and collaboration between the administration and the faculty has created a sense of chaos and distrust among the university community. The decision to involve external law enforcement without consulting the faculty senate has been seen as a breach of the university’s autonomy and an overreach of authority. The protest at Columbia University is a reflection of the growing discontent and concerns over the administration’s handling of the situation, with faculty members calling for transparency, accountability, and a return to established governance norms.
