Overview
- Justice Gerald Lebovits vacated Columbia's disciplinary decisions after an Article 78 challenge brought by 22 current and former students.
- The court deemed the sanctions arbitrary and capricious because the university’s panel relied on sealed arrest records as its only evidence of presence in Hamilton Hall.
- The order is stayed for 30 days, and Columbia says it is reviewing the decision while considering a stay and an appeal.
- The decision overturns expulsions, multi-year suspensions, and retroactive degree revocations imposed for the April 2024 Hamilton Hall occupation.
- The judge allowed Columbia to restart proceedings if it can present evidence independent of the sealed arrests tying individuals to specific misconduct.