As Barnard President Laura Rosenbury enters her second year at the helm, she will have to contend with the ongoing campus tensions, contested policy changes, and concerns about the state of academic freedom and free expression. l8r.it/4flY

Faculty at the University of Florida Levin College of Law criticized Barnard President Laura Rosenbury over concerns related to faculty governance, academic freedom, and leadership in an evaluation from the 2019-20 academic year obtained by Spectator. l8r.it/7ugb

Welcome to Columbia! Inside this special issue, you will find everything we at Spectator think first-year students should know as you acquaint yourself with campus life. l8r.it/4vMi

BIG: I acquired previously unseen comms between Interim Penn President Larry Jameson and Mayor Cherelle Parker in which they debated over Penn's encampment, allegations of violence, and whether PPD involvement was necessary. Read The Daily Pennsylvanian: thedp.com/article/2024/0…

Aug. 29, 2024 front page of The Daily Pennsylvanian. Liz Magill's post-presidency, a big welcome for the Class of 2028, and the first part of The Encampment Files, a new DP series investigating how Penn navigated 3 weeks of heightened activism — and what it means for the fall.

The chairs of two House committees sent letters on Aug. 22 to Columbia and Barnard leadership requesting information on policies developed “to prepare for unauthorized encampments.” l8r.it/5ai6

Public Safety provided an update on Friday on the investigation into a Jan. 19 incident during which pro-Palestinian protesters were sprayed with a chemical, writing that the substance was identified as a “non-toxic, legal, novelty item.” l8r.it/DZ17

Interim University President Katrina Armstrong delivered her first address as president at Columbia’s annual Convocation ceremony on Aug. 25, welcoming the incoming class of 2028 while acknowledging the ongoing tumult on campus. columbiaspectator.com/news/2024/09/0…

NEW: Vanderbilt Hustler looked at 10 month’s worth of national data and found Vanderbilt set the precedent on disciplinary actions toward pro-Palestine student protesters and journalists alike, but was one of only two universities (!!) to expel students. vanderbilthustler.com/2024/09/02/how…

Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters picket on first day of classes The New York Police Department arrested two Columbia students. columbiaspectator.com/news/2024/09/0…

Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters participated in a “Shut It Down” picket outside the 116th Street and Broadway gates on Tuesday, the first day of classes for the 2024-25 academic year, encouraging students, staff, and faculty to not attend classes. l8r.it/pAlZ

Pro-Palestinian protesters held a sit-in inside the International Affairs Building at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, calling on students to walk out of SIPA professor Hillary Clinton’s class. columbiaspectator.com/news/2024/09/0…

The University Senate passed revised guidelines for the Rules of University Conduct at a plenary session on Aug. 23 that affirmed the Rules’ defense of free expression and addressed policies regarding protest activity and disciplinary processes. l8r.it/ohqd

Conservative media group Accuracy in Media sent a billboard truck to Columbia’s Morningside campus Wednesday displaying the names and faces of affiliates under the banner “Columbia’s Leading Antisemites.” l8r.it/UbwI

Interim University President Katrina Armstrong updated the community on Thursday on the University’s approach to protests, pointing to the revised Rules of University Conduct and changes to the disciplinary processes. l8r.it/thKR

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression gave Columbia a score of zero in its 2025 College Free Speech Rankings on Thursday, assessing the University as “abysmal” for conditions of free speech and freedom of expression. l8r.it/rKXT

The Council on American-Islamic Relations sent a letter to interim President Katrina Armstrong on Thursday warning of legal action if Columbia complies with the House of Committee on Education and the Workforce’s subpoena of student disciplinary records. l8r.it/7pwY

Barnard’s Task Force on Campus Climate and Expression released a report on Aug. 22, expressing concern over the mandated removal of all decor affixed to room doors and suites. l8r.it/pBBZ