For over a year, Columbia University’s gates have remained closed to the public, leaving many to question the impact on relations with its neighboring Harlem community. What was once a symbol of the University has become a point of contention, with local leaders arguing the closure creates a divide between the university and the community.
For decades, Columbia and New York City worked together to keep the campus open, allowing students and local residents to freely interact.
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Closure Amid Rising Tensions
In October 2023, just days after war broke out in Gaza, the university restricted campus access to ID holders, citing concerns over planned protests. This move set the stage for further restrictions, culminating in the establishment of the “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” on campus in April 2024. The protests led to congressional hearings on campus antisemitism and the resignation of University President Minouche Shafik.
In response to growing tensions, the university maintained heightened security measures and policies, which have continued into 2025.
In response to the ongoing restrictions, City Council member Shaun Abreu and Community Board Chair Victor Edwards of the West Harlem community wrote a letter to the university’s interim president, urging the gates be reopened. They argue the closure not only isolates the community but also contradicts Columbia’s long history of being a part of the neighborhood.
“This closure is more than an inconvenience; it is a breach of trust and a violation of the agreements that govern this historic pathway.”
Letter in New York Daily News
University’s response to pushback
While security measures have eased since the fall semester, the gates remain shut. A university spokesperson said campus access is under review, with focus on both Columbia’s student body and the city of New York. The spokesperson emphasized balancing campus security with maintaining accessibility for the community is a priority.
Tags: college students, Columbia University, Gaza, Israel, New York, New York City, Palestine, students, War
[Karah Rucker]
THE TALL IRON GATES THAT WELCOME COLUMBIA STUDENTS TO CAMPUS ARE OFTEN SEEN AS A SYMBOL OF THE UNIVERSITY.
BUT ELECTED LEADERS ARGUE THAT, WITH THE GATES STILL CLOSED FOLLOWING LAST SPRING’S PROTESTS, THEY’RE ACTING AS A BARRIER, CREATING A DIVIDE BETWEEN THE SCHOOL AND THE HARLEM COMMUNITY.
FOR OVER 70 YEARS, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY AND NEW YORK CITY HAVE KEPT THE CAMPUS OPEN, ALLOWING STUDENTS AND LOCALS TO CONNECT.
JUST DAYS AFTER THE WAR BROKE OUT IN GAZA, COLUMBIA RESTRICTED CAMPUS ACCESS TO ID HOLDERS IN OCTOBER 2023, AHEAD OF PLANNED PROTESTS.
THE FOLLOWING SPRING, STUDENTS SET UP THE “GAZA SOLIDARITY ENCAMPMENT” ON CAMPUS. IN ONE DAY, OVER 100 STUDENTS WERE ARRESTED IN COLUMBIA’S LARGEST MASS ARREST SINCE 1968.
THE PROTESTS LED TO CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS ON CAMPUS ANTISEMITISM AND THE RESIGNATION OF UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT MINOUCHE SHAFIK.
THE UNIVERSITY CLOSED ITS GATES OPENING TO ALLEVIATE FRICTION,, BUT WHAT WAS MEANT AS A TEMPORARY MEASURE HAS DRAGGED ON FOR OVER A YEAR.
NOW COMMUNITY LEADERS ARE ASKING THE SCHOOL TO RE-OPEN THE GATES.
IN THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS, COUNCIL MEMBER SHAUN ABREU AND COMMUNITY CHAIR VICTOR EDWARDS DISCUSSED ITS IMPACT, STATING:
“This closure is more than an inconvenience; it is a breach of trust and a violation of the agreements that govern this historic pathway.”
A UNIVERSITY SPOKESPERSON SAYS CAMPUS ACCESS IS UNDER EVALUATION, WITH THE FOCUS ON THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF THEIR STUDENTS, KEEPING IN MIND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.
SAYING, “we also balance the desire for an open campus that is accessible to all of Columbia’s valued constituencies, including our neighbors.”
SECURITY MEASURES EASED DURING THE FALL SEMESTER, BUT THE CAMPUS REMAINS FAR FROM FULLY REOPENED.
IN A SEPTEMBER LETTER TO STUDENTS, STAFF, AND FACULTY, THE PRESIDENT EXPRESSED HOPE TO RESTORE ACCESS SOON—ONCE THE UNIVERSITY CAN ENSURE A SAFE CAMPUS ENVIRONMENT THROUGH CONTROLLED ENTRY.
FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, I’M KARAH RUCKER.
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