'This is concerning': Livid students demand tuition fees refund as Columbia University moves to virtual classes amid anti-Israel protests

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Students at Columbia University are outraged since the Ivy League institution announced that classes held at its main campus will be done remotely for the final weeks of the semester due to the ongoing anti-Israel protests.

Amid all of this, critics are asking students and parents to seek tuition refunds while they blasted the “weak” university administration for allowing anti-Israel student protesters to shut down the college, Fox Business reported.

Columbia University announces hybrid classes 

Students at Columbia University in New York City are holding a protest in support of Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The protest has already entered its seventh day. 

"It’s vital that teaching and learning continue during this time. We recognize conditions vary across our campuses and thus are issuing the following guidelines,” Provost Angela Olinto wrote in a Monday, April 22, night notice to students and faculty. 

"Classes on the university’s Morningside Heights campus will be hybrid technology permitting through the end of the spring 2024 semester on April 29," the letter said.

In the closing days of the semester, faculty members who lack the resources to offer hybrid classes were encouraged to think about offering totally remote courses and to "provide other accommodations liberally."

"Safety is our highest priority as we strive to support our students’ learning and all the required academic operations,” Olinto wrote.

However, students on campus said the move was disappointing.

Junior Michael D’Agostino, 22, said "The hybrid classes were frustrating given the amount we pay to be at this school to learn from these amazing faculties and professors.”

Agostino added, "I’m studying applied physics and applied math and those are classes I really benefit from being in-person. I went through COVID and all that when we were online for about a year and it really disrupted our education." 

"I really think it’s disheartening to see how our education is being punished as a result of this,” while he was "sad" about the school’s response to the protests. He added, “I think it’s really sad.”

Former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer slammed the university's decision to move to hybrid classes for the end of the semester. On X, he wrote, "It’s terrible how weak the school’s leaders and especially its faculty  are."

He further wrote, “The school should be fully open (no remote classes) and students who disrupt other students should be expelled.”

Internet slams Columbia University for announcing virtual classes

Apart from students, several social media users slammed the management of Columbia University while they weighed in on the tuition refund issue.

One Facebook user said, "Imagine being told you have to stay home and do learning online because they refuse to remove these people from campus. I wouldn't feel like the university really cares about my learning or life for that matter." 

Another wrote, "This is concerning."

One individual said, "Good. If you can't make the students feel safe they should get their money back." 

Another wrote, "They absolutely need to get a refund!" The next user said, "They don't deserve this." A user wrote, "Any one with a student visa should have it revoked and immediately deported." 

One person said, "Fair is fair. If Columbia cannot handle issues on their campus then students deprived of their classes should get a refund!!!!" Another asked, "Where are the parents of these  college students for which they are paying their education?"

One individual said, "I totally agree." Another user said, "This should not happen."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.