The Columbia University administration is facing criticisms from a panel of its fellow faculty and students over its handling of pro-Palestinian protesters.

Large groups have gathered at Columbia since last week, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Some protesters have gone further by calling for the death of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and reportedly targeting Jewish students with threats. 

As a result, the university has shifted most of its classes online as the protests continue. Columbia President Minouche Shafik is subsequently facing calls to resign. However, the Columbia University Senate called out the administration for its “failure to defend our institution” and also “failing to defend academic freedom in the face of external pressures.”

The New York Police Department arrested over 100 protesters on Columbia’s campus last week on suspicion of trespassing. NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell claimed all the arrested students submitted peacefully and there were no injuries or violence reported by police, which has since deployed its counterterrorism unit on campus. Officers arrived at the request of Columbia University, which reported the danger.

“We unreservedly condemn external interference in the internal affairs of Columbia University that
undermines the traditions of academic freedom and shared governance,” it wrote in a resolution.

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While the administration, including Shafik, the provost, two deans, and others, hold nine seats in the Senate, it is largely made up of 65 faculty members and 25 students, among other representatives.

Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) have since visited the campus encampments to shake hands with protesters.