President of Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU) Jenny Maguire has released a letter today calling on College to question the treatment of Dual BA students by Columbia University.
Following a Trinity News article published today detailing the experiences of dual BA students in Columbia University, Maguire wrote an open letter to Provost Linda Doyle and VP for Global Engagement Emma Stokes.
“The ongoing political interference, poor governance, and disgraceful actions of Columbia University have passed the point of being unacknowledged. Trinity must seriously question how its students are being treated by Columbia, and put those questions to the university.”
“Regular contact must be upped with our students at Columbia University. ICE raids, heavy police presence and attacks on the right to protest are not conducive to a positive learning environment.”
It continued: “Classes being cancelled and tests being made optional because of fear cannot be normalised or go ignored, and neither can the experience and well-being of the students pay for it.”
“Following our own encampment, Trinity showed itself as a leader in maintaining peaceful and constructive conversations with protestors”, it said. referencing last Mays encampment on set up by members of TCDSU and Trinity Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (Trinity BDS).
“I ask you both now to continue to lead.”
Earlier this month saw the Trump administration cancel $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University with immediate effect.
