According to a report by Axios, 13 conservative federal judges have declared that they will not consider Columbia students for employment opportunities, citing dissatisfaction with the university's handling of the protests.
In a letter addressed to Columbia's president, the judges criticized the institution for what they perceive as a lack of adequate response to the demonstrations, which they view as pro-Palestine. They expressed concern that Columbia had become "an incubator of bigotry" and had compromised its reputation as an educational institution.
The judges demanded that Columbia enact serious consequences for students and faculty involved in the protests, arguing that the university must remain "neutral" while upholding freedom of speech on campus.
The decision by the judges comes amidst a wave of protests across college campuses in the United States, including at Columbia University, where demonstrators have occupied buildings and displayed Palestinian flags.
In response to the protests, Columbia's president faced criticism for involving the police to disperse the demonstrations, resulting in the arrest of over 100 students. A campus oversight committee condemned the administration's actions, citing concerns about academic freedom and due process rights.
Columbia University Senate passed a resolution expressing dissatisfaction with the administration's response, although it stopped short of explicitly censuring the president. The university administration expressed a commitment to maintaining dialogue and restoring calm on campus in the wake of the protests. (ILKHA)