Rubio wants Columbia president to give money back to students after takeover by rioters.

Amid the recent anti-Israel encampment at Columbia University, students found themselves in a difficult position, missing out on education services they had paid for with their tuition. Senator Marco Rubio, R-Fla., has called upon Columbia University President Minouche Shafik to refund these students for the disruption they faced during the lengthy encampment.

The encampment, which began in mid-April and continued until the end of the month, involved antisemitic intimidation and language, as well as the takeover of a campus building. Senator Rubio highlighted the fact that Jewish students were specifically targeted, and the safety of all students on campus was put at risk. Some Jewish students were even advised by a rabbi to leave campus due to concerns about their safety amidst the chaos of the encampment, including pro-Hamas chants and signage.

Senator Rubio emphasized the delayed response by Columbia University to the escalating situation. It wasn’t until rioters occupied Hamilton Hall on April 30th, nearly two weeks after the encampment began, that the university finally called in the NYPD to clear the area. By that point, safety threats on campus had become so severe that the undergraduate commencement ceremony and in-person final exams had to be canceled.

The senator pointed out that as a result of the university’s failure to address the illegal rioters in a timely manner, many Columbia undergraduates missed three weeks of in-person education. While acknowledging that the damage caused by the encampment cannot be undone, Senator Rubio urged President Shafik to consider reimbursing students for the disruption they experienced.

Providing a possible solution to the situation, Senator Rubio suggested a $6,400 refund per student to offset the three-week interruption in Columbia’s services. He made it clear that students who participated in the encampments should not be eligible for the refund, as they were contributors to the disruption of campus activities.

In conclusion, Senator Rubio’s call for Columbia University to refund students for the education services they missed out on during the anti-Israel encampment underscores the importance of upholding the quality of education and ensuring the safety of all students on campus. As discussions continue on how to address the aftermath of the encampment, it remains to be seen how Columbia University will respond to these calls for reimbursement.