Columbia’s new president moves to reopen Manhattan campus after 2024 anti-Israel protests

Columbia University President Jennifer Mnookin is initiating a gradual reopening of the Morningside campus in Manhattan, which has been under restricted access since anti-Israel protests in 2024. Mnookin, who became the university's first Jewish president on July 1, acknowledged concerns about both safety and the campus's disconnection from New York City. Brian Cohen, executive director of the Kraft Center for Jewish Student Life, stated that "safety on campus is not a Jewish issue or a political one." The university will expand guest access immediately and establish a temporary access-services kiosk by October 1. Mnookin has also appointed a Campus Access Advisory Committee to guide further changes, aiming for a balance between security and a more open, welcoming campus environment.