New Report Compiles Public Rhetoric and Scholarly Themes Amid Recent Campus Protests

New York, NY – May 11, 2025 — Protect Our Campus (POC), a nonpartisan campus safety and civil rights advocacy initiative, has released The Columbia Papers, an in-depth report examining public academic discourse among faculty at Columbia University and its potential influence on recent campus developments, including the recent occupation of Butler Library.

While Columbia faces a federal Title VI civil rights investigation, The Columbia Papers shifts attention to the intellectual and cultural environment that has shaped campus protest movements over the past year. According to the report, publicly available statements, writings, and commentary from some faculty members have included language that could be seen as normalizing or justifying violent resistance, delegitimizing Israel’s existence, or promoting antisemitic narratives.

The report’s release follows an incident on May 7, when a group of protesters occupied Butler Library for several hours, displayed political banners, and temporarily disrupted academic activities during the university’s final exam period. Columbia University officials stated that property was defaced during the occupation, and that law enforcement was called to assist with restoring order. Over 80 individuals were detained, and university leadership reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining campus safety and academic continuity.

According to Protect Our Campus, the report aims to provide additional context for understanding how campus discourse, scholarship, and public expression intersect with broader campus dynamics.

“The Butler Library incident was not an isolated event — it reflects a sustained environment where controversial messages have increasingly shaped the academic and social atmosphere,” said a Protect Our Campus spokesperson. “This report presents the broader academic context for what’s now unfolding in full view.”

The full report is available to the public: www.columbia-papers.com

Media Contact:

Anna Miller

Protect Our Campus

info@protectourcampus.com