This afternoon, at 3:15 PM, approximately 100 masked protestors overwhelmed the Security desk at the front of Butler Library and stormed into Room 301, the Lawrence A. Wien Reference Room. They interrupted students studying for finals, jumped on tables, began banging on drums, chanting and shouting, and then vandalized the room.

Columbia University Public Safety swiftly contained the situation. They blocked the exits, allowing masked protestors to leave only if they showed identification so their acts could be recorded. Few, if any, agreed. At approximately 5 PM, students gathered outside of Butler attempted to overwhelm the Public Safety cordon and storm into Butler, during which two Public Safety employees were injured.

For over three hours, Public Safety asked students to leave being arrested – and all they had to do was show their ID. During this time, the protestors pulled a fire alarm in an unsuccessful attempt to force Public Safety to allow them to leave without identification. At around 6 PM, Mayor Eric Adams announced the NYPD was en route to campus. While this was happening, Public Safety’s newly sworn-in peace officers began arresting and removing individuals. When NYPD arrived at around 7 PM, they methodically began arresting and removing protestors in small groups. By 9 PM, Butler Library was cleared.

At this point we do not know if the protestors are Columbia affiliates or outside agitators. If they are outside agitators, they must be dealt with according to the law. If they are Columbia affiliates, they must undergo Columbia’s disciplinary procedures without delay. We do not prejudge the outcome. But we note that their conduct is a potential violation of the following provisions of the Rules of University Conduct:

• § 443(a)(1) (simple violation) engages in conduct that places another in danger of bodily harm;
• § 443(a)(2) (serious violation) causes or clearly attempts to cause physical injury to another person;
• § 443(a)(5) (simple) causes minor property damage or loss, or endangers property on a University facility;
• § 443(a)(6) (serious) misappropriates, damages, or destroys books or scholarly material or any other property belonging to the University, or to another party, when that property is in or on a University facility, and by such action causes or threatens substantial educational, administrative, or financial loss;
• § 443(a)(8) (serious) continues for more than a short period of time to physically prevent, or clearly attempt to prevent, passage within, or unimpeded use of, a University facility, and thereby interferes with the normal conduct of a University function;
• § 443(a)(9) (serious) enters or remains in a University facility without authorization at a time after the facility has been declared closed by the University;
• § 443(a)(14) (serious) disrupts a University function or renders its continuation impossible;
• § 443(a)(16) (simple) fails to self-identify when requested to do so by a properly identified Delegate;
• § 443(a)(17) (serious) prevents a properly identified Delegate from the discharge of his official responsibilities under these Rules, except through a mere refusal to self-identify;
• § 443(a)(19) (simple) fails to disperse from an assembly upon order of a properly identified Delegate when such order results from repeated or continuing violations of these Rules by members of the assembly and the Delegate has by verbal directions made reasonable effort to secure compliance before ordering dispersal;
• § 443(a)(20) (serious) fails to disperse from an assembly upon order of a properly identified Delegate when such order results from serious violations of these Rules by members of the assembly and the Delegate so states in his order to disperse.

As the enforcement of the Rules of University Conduct and the operations of the University Judicial board are no longer under the ineffective supervision of the University Senate, we have every expectation that matters will move swiftly. As these charges include “serious” violations, the sanctions, per the Rules, could include suspensions, expulsions, and withholding or revocations of degrees.

We commend Columbia University Public Safety for their swift and measured response in keeping students safe, and we thank the New York Police Department for their assistance in restoring order.

The differences between tonight and last year could not have been more stark:

• The occupation was limited to one room in one building, rather than significantly disrupting the entire campus.
• Rather than let the occupation fester and last, CU Public Safety immediately intervened. This whole episode was over within hours.
• CU Public Safety devised a protocol to enforce identification, by not permitting masked disruptors to leave without showing identification.
• CU Public Safety’s newly-empowered peace officers began making arrests themselves, and were backed up by the NYPD.
• When NYPD came, they limited their presence to Butler Library and entered and exited from the street.

To Columbia’s staff and leadership, well done everyone. To our students, our best wishes for finals. Have a good night.