Protests supporting Palestine have intensified since the 2024 Gaza conflict, leading to a heated debate over the closure of Columbia University's campus gates in New York City. The issue has gained attention with New York Mayor Zoran Mamdani expressing support for reopening the gates.
According to the Wall Street Journal on September 28, Columbia University closed its gates following an occupation by protesters in 2024. The gates remain closed two years later, allowing only staff, students, and visitors to enter. Students must line up for ID checks, while visitors enter through a separate door using a QR code. During busy hours, long lines form, and the university has issued access passes to over 1,200 individuals in the past year. Politico reported that visitors need prior approval to access the campus.
The university maintains that the closure is necessary for the safety of students and faculty. Additionally, the administration is considering expanding campus access. The university president has established a committee to review this issue, with discussions expected to conclude by mid-December.
Columbia's campus has served as a landmark in New York City for decades, providing pathways for many residents. The newspaper noted that the campus has been accessible to the public for years, serving as a recreational space for families and a shortcut for pedestrians between Manhattan's west and east sides. Some residents have expressed their frustration and filed lawsuits over the closure.
Opinions among students are divided. Nicholas Baum, a 21-year-old senior majoring in economics who identifies as Jewish, told the New York Post, "There was a time when the closure was justified and necessary, but honestly, it feels outdated now as the environment has completely changed." He previously expressed feeling unsafe due to aggressive actions against Jews during the protests in September 2024. However, some students still share his concerns and support the continued closure.
The renewed focus on the campus access issue can be largely attributed to Mayor Mamdani. Since taking office, Rachel Moston, who oversees the city’s legal department, reversed the previous administration's stance in documents submitted to the court earlier this month. Moston stated, "The city supports reopening the pedestrian pathways on Columbia University's campus," according to Politico.
Columbia's main campus is located between West 114th and 120th Streets in Manhattan, stretching from Broadway to Amsterdam Avenue. It houses the renowned journalism school, the university's administration, and the admissions office, while the medical and dental schools are located in a separate campus near 168th Street.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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