Columbia will require a university ID to access campus starting Monday. The college grounds are currently open to all for now.
“I have my coffee. I love to sit on the grounds,” Morningside Heights resident Handan Anlar said of the Columbia campus.
The campus had been open to the public during daytime hours since mid-June, when it reopened following restricted access during pro-Palestinian protests in the spring.
Some entry points will also be closed starting Monday, and all guests will have to fill out an online form. The university said these rules will remain in effect until further notice.
Some residents said they are disappointed but understand.
“It’s safety for the students,” Anlar said. “I’m a resident here for the last 14 years, and I used to walk my dog here. It’s sad, but it’s their right.”
Others said it’s just an inconvenience.
“I live on a different side and I’m going to walk to my coffee shop so it won’t be too comfortable,” Harlem resident Eugene Novikov said.
This follows other security news at Columbia earlier this week — the Wall Street Journal reported the university was looking to give its campus security the power to arrest people.
“This change is intended to keep our community safe given reports of potential disruptions at Columbia. We are particularly concerned about non-affiliates who may not have the best interest of the Columbia community in mind,” Columbia COO Cas Holloway said in a statement.
One prospective parent visiting Columbia said the decision makes sense.
“It will make somebody think twice if they were trying to plan something and people in the community need to be safe,” John Dandridge, who was visiting campus with his daughter, said.
The first day of fall semester classes start Sept. 3.