Columbia makes early morning decision Monday to move classes online amid pro-Palestinian protests

Columbia University President Minouche Shafik announced Monday just after midnight that classes will be moved online amid the pro-Palestinian protests on that have effectively overtaken the New York City school's campus. 

Shafik made the announcement at 1:14 a.m., according to the publication the Columbia Spectator. 

On Thursday, roughly 100 people, students and others, were arrested by the New York Police Department after refusing to dismantle their “Gaza Solidarity Encampment."

Shafik also said she is “deeply saddened by what is happening on our campus and that the move to virtual classes was a means to “deescalate the rancor” and to “give us all a chance to consider next steps."

In addition, Shafik encouraged students living off campus to refrain from coming to campus and for faculty and staff who can work remotely also to do so.

“The decibel of our disagreements has only increased in recent days,” wrote Shafik, also according to the Spectator. “These tensions have been exploited and amplified by individuals who are not affiliated with Columbia who have come to campus to pursue their own agendas. We need a reset.”

After the arrests, students still continue to demonstrate in support of the university divesting from companies with ties to Israel, the removal of the NYPD on campus and for the reversal of disciplinary action taken against protesters involved with encampment.