By Tarang Jain

On February 19, Columbia University announced its ‘Interim University Policy for Safe Demonstrations’, laying out a set of regulations for students to follow for holding demonstrations on campus. 

TMP reviewed the interim policy and here is what it means for any future demonstrations on campus: 

Demonstrating in Designated Areas: The demonstrations can only be held in spaces that will be designated by the University as “Demonstration Areas.” For the Morningside Campus, the likely Demonstration Areas would be South Field East, South Field West, or the Sundial area. Furthermore, the demonstrations can only be held during “Regular Demonstration Times” which will be from Monday to Friday between 12 PM - 6PM. Unless the registration of demonstrations is confirmed, they cannot be advertised to the students. An exception to demonstrate outside the designated time and spaces may be sought through a registration form. 

Advance Registration: In order to organize demonstrations, they need to be registered two days in advance. 

Violations: Students groups will be held in violation,

• if demonstrations go beyond the stated time or in areas that are not designated by the University. 

• if advertised without confirmed registration 

While student groups that violate the Interim Policy will be reported to the respective student governing body, individual students will be referred and reported to the Center for Student Success and Intervention (CSSI). Students with  three or more violations will be brought before the University Judicial Board– a five-member panel that “hears charges of violations under the Rules of University Conduct and provides sanctions.

The deliberations for the Interim Policy were done in collaboration with the University Senate’s Executive Committee, which includes President Minouche Shafik and Interim Provost Dennis A. Mitchell as its members. 

The Rules of University Conduct are being subjected to a review. The students can share their suggestions by February 29 through this form. Alternatively, students can also attend listening forums organized by The Rules Committee on the following days:

Wednesday, February 21, 2024, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm (via Zoom) - Registration link

Thursday, February 22, 2024, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm (via Zoom): Open to all CUIMC affiliates - Registration link

Tuesday, February 27, 2024, 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm (in person); Room 417, International Affairs Building (Altschul Auditorium) - Registration link

This is a developing story.

Tarang Jain (MIA ‘25) is the Editor in Chief of The Morningside Post.