Judges nominated by Trump declare their intent to avoid graduates from Columbia due to the university's handling of protests.
On Monday, the judges sent letters to Columbia's President Minouche Shafik and the dean of Columbia's law school Gillian Lester, voicing their concerns and labeling the Manhattan campus as the "epicenter" for disruptive student actions, anti-Semitism, and hateful attitudes towards diverse views on campuses nationwide.
Over the last few weeks, Columbia University has seen numerous protests against the war in Gaza, with these demonstrations spreading to many other campuses across the U.S. At the university's request, the New York Police Department was invited on campus to dismantle a protester encampment and clear protesters out of a university building. This resulted in hundreds of arrests.
The letter, shared with CNN by Judge James C. Ho of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (who is one of three main signatories along with Judge Elizabeth L. Branch, circuit judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and Judge Matthew H. Solomson, sitting on the U.S. Court of Federal Claims), states that the judges have lost faith in Columbia as a place for higher education. Instead, they perceive it as "an incubator of bigotry." This perspective has caused Columbia to be deemed ineligible for educating the future leaders of the country.
CNN contacted Columbia University for a statement.
The judges who signed the letter are all Trump appointees and primarily serve in Texas. The list includes Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, who works in the Northern District of Texas, Amarillo, and made headlines by issuing an order blocking widespread access to mifepristone. This decision was heard by the Supreme Court in March last year.
Federal judges have considerable power in influencing a person's legal career, especially during their early stages. They usually hire law school graduates for clerkships that can later lead to high-paying and coveted positions.
In their letter, the judges propose several measures for the University to take, such as recommending "serious consequences" for students and employees who participate in campus disruptions.
Throughout its history, Columbia University has been known for student protests with varying levels of interruption. Examples include students occupying school buildings, like Hamilton Hall last week, resulting in numerous arrests.
The judges also suggest that universities should identify students who engage in such behavior so potential employers can steer clear of hiring them. They argue that employers ought to be cautious and presume that any student they hire from Columbia could potentially be among the disruptive and hateful students.
Columbia has a long-standing history of student protests marked by different levels of disruption, including occupying buildings, as witnessed by the recent Hamilton Hall takeover, leading to numerous arrests.
The judges also stress that unlawfully trespassing and occupying public spaces is punishable by imprisonment.
Read also:
- Lack of snow also opens up new opportunities for winter tourism
- Abrupt end to e-car subsidies
- The chemical industry has little confidence
- Intersport boss hopes for sales boom through sporting events
Source: edition.cnn.com
