Columbia President Minouche Shafik sets deadline for anti-Israel protesters to reach agreement to dismantle encampment

Columbia University’s Minouche Shafik warned anti-Israel student protesters on Tuesday that they had until midnight to reach an agreement on dismantling their encampment — otherwise the school would “consider alternative options.” » to empty the tent city.

Shafik said the student protesters were in discussions with Columbia faculty and administrators to chart a path forward to abandon their camp on the Manhattan campus lawn, which has already been emptied once before since it appeared last week .

“For several days, a small group of university professors, administrators and senators have been in dialogue with student organizers to discuss the basics of dismantling the encampment, dispersing it and respecting university policies in the future. These talks must reach midnight tonight to reach an agreement,” Shafik said.

“I really hope these discussions come to fruition. If not, we will need to consider alternative options to clear the West Lawn and restore calm to campus so students can complete their term and graduate.

The threat comes just a day after Shafik canceled in-person classes, telling students and faculty they “need a reset” as the heated protests enter their sixth day.