Hybrid in-person courses offered at Columbia for the remainder of the semester

The Claim: Columbia University Has Canceled All In-Person Classes Through the End of the Semester

An Instagram post from April 23 (direct link, archive link) shows a statue overlooking a large crowd of people holding signs.

“Parents, demand refunds: Outrage as Colombia’s president cancels all in-person classes through end of semester after losing grip of anti-Israel mob,” reads the text above of the image.

The post garnered over 6,000 likes in two days. Other versions of the claim were shared on Instagram, Facebook, Threads and X, formerly Twitter.

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Our rating: False

This is a misrepresentation of the school’s updated classroom guidelines. The university president announced that all classes would be held remotely on April 22 due to the protests, but most classes were then moved to hybrid or in-person mode for the remainder of the semester.

Hybrid in-person courses still offered at Columbia

Large-scale anti-war protests at Columbia University have attracted national attention as students gathered in campus encampments to demand that the school sever all financial ties with Israel and Israeli businesses. New York police arrested more than 100 student protesters on April 18, including Isra Hirsi, the daughter of U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar.

Columbia University President Minouche Shafik released a statement on April 22 saying all classes would be held remotely that day “to ease the rancor.”

This decision to cancel all face-to-face classes was, however, temporary.

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The school released new guidance for the rest of the semester the same day, in which it said all classes on the Morningside campus would become hybrid (meaning students will be able to attend in person or remotely), at except for art classes and “practice-based programs.” “Classes at the school’s medical center and Manhattanville campus would continue to be held in person, but would offer accommodations based on religious reasons or disability.

The guidelines specify that faculty on the Morningside campus who do not have the capacity to host hybrid options must teach their courses remotely upon request or provide other accommodations.

This information was reiterated in an article published by the school newspaper, the Columbia Spectator.

The new configuration will only be in effect for five school days until the last day of classes on April 29.

USA TODAY reached out to the user who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

PolitiFact also refuted this claim.

Our fact-checking sources:

• Columbia University Office of the President, April 22, Statement from Columbia University President Minouche Shafik

• Columbia University Provost’s Office, April 22, Guidelines for Instruction, Student Housing, and Staff on Campus

• Columbia Spectator, April 22, Morningside campus classes move to hybrid, Barnard remains in-person for rest of semester

• Columbia University Registrar’s Office, accessed April 26, Academic Calendar

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hybrid in-person classes still offered at Columbia | Fact Check