A recognized student group at Columbia University is facing scrutiny following reports that it coordinated with a group the university has said is subject to a "zero tolerance" policy.
The Washington Free Beacon reported that the Columbia-Barnard Young Democratic Socialists of America states in an online form that it works with other organizations to "plan actions and liaise with Columbia University Apartheid Divest," a group linked to prior campus protests and hot-issue messaging.
The university said in a March 1 statement that "all currently recognized student groups have no affiliation with the group that calls itself 'CUAD,'" adding that it "stands by its Zero Tolerance policy."
That policy requires recognized groups to comply with restrictions related to CUAD in order to maintain an approved status.
A university spokesman said Columbia is "investigating reports that this student group violated our policy" and reiterated that violations could lead to consequences such as derecognition, loss of funding, or reduced access to campus resources.
The YDSA material, described as part of a 2024 to 2025 interest form and shared in a later social media post, references coordination not only with CUAD, but also with other groups that have faced restrictions, including Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace.
The New York university previously suspended its chapters of SJP and JVP in November 2023 after determining they violated university policies related to campus events.
According to the report, collaboration with recognized groups could allow restricted organizations to access campus space and funding.
YDSA has also appeared alongside accounts associated with CUAD in social media posts, including one that directed readers to a "full press release" linked to a CUAD statement following student suspensions tied to a campus incident.
Other student activists have indicated that working with recognized organizations can help maintain access to university resources.
A leader of the Columbia chapter of Students for a Democratic Society said the group collaborates with YDSA "because they get funding from Columbia workspaces."
The report also describes prior overlap between YDSA and CUAD activities, including participation in a 2024 campus encampment and promotion of fundraising efforts tied to CUAD.
Columbia has not announced any disciplinary action related to the latest reports.
Jim Mishler ✉
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