Columbia University expels students over Hind’s Hall occupation protest

Columbia University has expelled at least six students involved in the occupation of Hamilton Hall, dubbed by students Hind’s Hall last April, during protests calling for divestment from "Israel."

More than a dozen other students were either suspended or had their degrees revoked. This action follows President Trump's decision to cancel $400 million in contracts with the university, accusing it of being too lenient with student protesters. Columbia, with a $14.8 billion endowment, has also indicated its intent to comply with the Trump administration’s policies targeting foreign students.

The occupation was a one-day protest where students symbolically renamed the building in honor of 6-year-old Hind Rejab, who was killed by 'Israeli' forces in Gaza.

Columbia's last expulsion of student activists occurred in 1968 during anti-war protests, which also involved the occupation of Hamilton Hall, though many expulsions were later reversed. The expelled students are expected to appeal the university's disciplinary decisions.

In a campus-wide email on Thursday, Columbia stated that its judicial board had imposed sanctions on the students involved in the occupation after evaluating the seriousness of their actions. However, the university did not specify how many students faced expulsions, suspensions, or revoked degrees.