Columbia University is experiencing a huge wave of pro-Palestine protests on campus, which led to the administration declaring a shift to hybrid classes. However, parents and students are not happy with this move.

The prestigious University is going through some tricky times at the moment. Its students are having day-long pro-Palestine protests that are entering their eighth day. Therefore, the school’s officials decided to move learning into a hybrid setting to prevent students from not having classes at all. “It’s vital that teaching and learning continue during this time,” said Angela Olinto, the provost of the university.

The option of online classes did not sit well with university parents. Instead, it is causing them growing frustration. They believe they have spent too much money on tuition to have their children take classes from home. These parents are now calling for a refund of their tuition fees as they claim that online classes will compromise their kids’ learning experience.

Students are also disappointed with the hybrid learning model that the university has introduced. One student, Junior Michael D’Agostino, expressed his displeasure, saying it was unfair considering “the amount we pay to be at this school to learn from these amazing faculties and professors.” He also noted that students will miss the invaluable in-person learning experience when they have online classes instead of physical ones.

Columbia University’s leadership board has been heavily criticized for this decision. In fact, former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer labeled their response as “weak.” He is also against the decision, stating that this means the “protesters have, in essence, shut down Columbia University.” The political figure has also called on the university’s leaders to keep the school operating fully and normally.

Many more high-profile political figures have commented on this issue. Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas, is one of the politicians who has weighed in on this. He advises the parents to “demand a refund and then sue for breach of contract” in court. This further proves that the decisions are showing a high level of discontent not only among the parents and students but also from the general public.

Barnard College is affiliated with Columbia University and shares a community with them. However, the Columbia Daily Spectator reports that while Columbia University is opting for hybrid classes, Bernard College is standing strong with in-person lectures. Therefore, people have noted the huge difference between their leadership styles and are encouraging Columbia University to do the same.

The climate in the university today is not a healthy one. Therefore, the university’s president, Minouche Shafik, has expressed profound sadness over this. “Our bonds as a community have been severely tested,” she noted. In addition, she pledged to work towards bringing peace and harmony back to the university by strengthening the weakened bonds.

The leaders of the university have also tightened campus security amid the numerous protests and growing unrest. They have hired many more security guards who will help to protect their students and keep the campus safer. A new hire from Apex Security Group Inc. said, “It’s my first day. We need it.” The university has also implemented an extended overnight shift schedule to promote the safety of the campus.

The national protests around the country have been quite significant. However, Columbia University has now become a focal point for the pro-Palestinian protests, especially since the emergence of a tent encampment on its campus. Therefore, the university’s protests are a part of the wider movement that has been happening in the country since October last year.

In another bid to improve security in the school, President Shafik requested the intervention of the NYPD to help disperse the protesters. However, this led to over 100 arrests on campus. This sparked a lot of outrage and more controversy among the students and parents, claiming that the university was infringing on their right to free speech.

The Governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, has also visited the university to assess the situation. She met with the university officials and the NYPD and had a conversation with them. According to the governor, she believes “Every student deserves to be safe” in their schools. She also says the government’s commitment to addressing educational and public safety is a priority.

Apart from the unrest and protests, Columbia University has another significant cause of worry. The New England Patriots owner, Robert Kraft, announced his decision to withhold donations from the university. This will have a huge impact on the university’s funding and activities. In addition, the university’s stability can also be affected if more stakeholders withdraw their support.