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Columbia alumnus lays into alma mater over response to 'appalling' anti-Israel protests: ‘Lack of leadership’

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Kaplan said that Columbia should have done more to prevent violent and aggressive voices and activities, calling the actions of anti-Israel protesters "appalling."

A Columbia alumni at a pro-Israeli October 7 commemoration voiced his frustrations with the Ivy League university. (Fox News)

She also took issue with the actions of interim university President Katrina Armstrong, who apologized in September to protesters who were "hurt" by the New York Police Department (NYPD) as they attempted to clear agitators on campus late last semester.

"There’s been no change in Columbia. The problem with Columbia right now is Columbia," Muira told Fox News Digital. 

Armstrong became interim president of the elite school after Minouche Shafik stepped down as president amid ongoing condemnation of her handling of campus protests last year that often turned violent.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, a Columbia spokesperson said, "As Interim President Armstrong’s statements and actions since assuming her current role in August make clear, she and the University are directly addressing antisemitism and discrimination, which is antithetical to our values and has no place at the University."

A small group of pro-Israel demonstrators and counterprotesters gather in front of Columbia University on August 27, 2024, to hold an "Unmask Campus Hate" protest at the start of the academic year in New York City.  (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

University of Pittsburgh student Racheli told Fox News Digital that the protests on Columbia University's campus in particular has led some of her Jewish friends to seek out accelerated degree programs so they can leave the Ivy League school early. 

President Armstrong commented on the second one, saying, "This is an opportunity to acknowledge the harm that has been done and to pledge to make the changes necessary to do better and to rededicate ourselves, as University leaders, as individuals, and as a community, to our core mission of teaching and research."

During the widespread campus protests last school year, the NYPD also swept a tent encampment housing the protesters, which was dubbed the "Gaza Solidarity Encampment," before the university dismantled the encampment in May.

Fox News' Emma Colton contributed to this report.