University President Minouche Shafik issued a follow-up statement to the Columbia community on Wednesday regarding the “terror attacks on Israel and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza,” acknowledging that many affiliates are “suffering great distress” and concerned over “personal security” on campus.

She wrote to reaffirm the University’s “several guiding principles” and reassure safety at a time in which “the atmosphere on campus is extremely charged,” pointing to an increase in Public Safety presence across all campuses and collaboration with outside security firms and the New York City Police Department.

“Let me first say that there are no words to describe the fear and anxiety people experience when lives are at risk,” Shafik wrote. “To those who are struggling, you are never far from my thoughts, and Columbia will do everything possible to support you.”

Public Safety has maintained limited gate access on the Morningside Heights campus out of an abundance of caution, with plans to reevaluate the closures later this week, a University spokesperson wrote in a statement to Spectator on Monday. Columbia initially announced the closures last Wednesday, restricting campus access to Columbia ID holders on Oct. 12 ahead of a protest co-organized by Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace and a counterprotest by Students Supporting Israel.

The NYPD has also informed Public Safety that it will increase its presence on the streets near or around the Morningside Heights campus, the University spokesperson wrote.

“During any crisis in the world, our priority is providing immediate support to Columbia community members whose lives have been directly affected,” Shafik wrote. “Our day-to-day duty of care for the security and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff is paramount.”

While emphasizing the importance of “Debate, advocacy, and protest” in addressing “political and social turmoil,” Shafik wrote that Columbia will continue to “observe all necessary safeguards around these activities” and “work closely with students to ensure that they adhere to our event guidelines.”

“We are duty-bound to ensure they can gather and express themselves,” she wrote.

Shafik expressed that she was “disheartened” that “abhorrent rhetoric” has come from some members of the community, including faculty and staff, as a result of the escalating violence abroad.

In a statement to Spectator on Monday, a Columbia University Irving Medical Center spokesperson condemned a viral WKCR audio clip in which an unnamed University employee said, “I hope every one of these people die,” in an apparent reference to protesters with SJP and JVP. The spokesperson described the employee’s comments as “words that incite dangerous behavior” and wrote that the University was “committed to enforcing the rules and policies that are in place to ensure safety, civility and respect.”

“Unfortunately, some are using this moment to spread antisemitism, Islamophobia, bigotry against Palestinians and Israelis, and various other forms of hate,” Shafik wrote. “Especially at a time of pain and anger, we must avoid language that vilifies, threatens, or stereotypes entire groups of people.”

“It is antithetical to Columbia’s values and can lead to acts of harassment or violence,” she added. “When this type of speech is unlawful or violates University rules, it will not be tolerated.”

Some Columbia students “have been victims of doxing,” Shafik wrote, elaborating that “extremists” have used this form of “online harassment” to “target communities and individuals.” At the Oct. 12 protests, SJP and JVP explicitly advised students to wear face coverings for “safety from doxxing,” according to an Instagram post from SJP.

Spectator confirmed that a handful of Columbia affiliates have had their photos and personal information posted to Canary Mission, a website that publicly documents the names of individuals and organizations it deems as expressing anti-Israel or antisemitic viewpoints.

The New York Times also reported on Tuesday that the prestigious law firm Davis Polk rescinded employment offers made to two Columbia students who held leadership positions in organizations that signed onto a “Joint Statement from Palestine Solidarity Groups.” While an initial version of the statement contained a list of over two dozen student groups that signed on, the list has since been removed. The firm is now reconsidering its decision for two of three of the students, one of whom attended Harvard University and was affiliated with its Harvard Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee, according to the New York Times.

“This kind of behavior also will not be tolerated and should be reported through appropriate school channels,” Shafik wrote, referring to doxxing. “When applicable, we will refer these cases to external authorities.”

As she highlighted in her first statement about the conflict from Oct. 9, Shafik underscored the “vital role” universities play in “fostering critical thinking, scholarship, and, ideally, opening minds to different points of view.” She wrote that universities “must use our voices differently than other institutions” such as political organizations or advocacy groups and should instead create a space for students and faculty to engage in “their own moral and intellectual conversations.”

“That doesn’t mean we don’t have values. A shared commitment to civility, respect, and empathy must guide how we interact with one another,” Shafik wrote. “It is not what we believe, but how we treat people who don’t share our views, that shapes the character of our community and ultimately educates and empowers new generations of engaged citizens.”

“Our focus must be de-escalating tensions, modeling respectful behavior, and finding common ground in our shared humanity,” she added.

Joseph Massad, a tenured professor in the department of Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African studies, recently came under fire for an Oct. 8 article he published in the Electronic Intifada in which he described “Palestinian resistance” as “astonishing,” “​​astounding,” and “awesome.” Maya Platek, GS ’25, started a petition on Friday calling for the immediate removal of Massad from Columbia’s faculty, claiming he “shows support for the terrorist organization.”

The petition had garnered over 47,000 signatures as of Monday night, but it has since been placed under review by Change.org moderators. According to its community guidelines, Change.org restricts any content that is considered hate speech, misinformation or disinformation, or bullying and harassment, among other policies. A University spokesperson declined to comment on the petition.

Shafik encouraged students who need “special accommodations as they cope with fear and grief” to reach out to their advisors or deans of students for assistance and those who are concerned with safety to use Columbia’s hotline and safety escort program.

“I want to thank all those who have shown great compassion, leadership, and kindness in recent days,” Shafik wrote. “Whether this has been providing spiritual or emotional care for students, supporting friends and colleagues in distress, taking part in thoughtful classroom discussions or seminars—you are exemplars of the best of Columbia.”