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cuimcstandsup.bsky.social
CUIMC Stands Up
@cuimcstandsup.bsky.social
250 followers 70 following 94 posts
Grassroots group of Columbia University Irving Medical Center affiliates standing up for patients, research, students, academic freedom, and science everywhere.

Views ours only, not Columbia’s, although we wish they were!

https://www.cuimcstandsup.org
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cuimcstandsup.bsky.social
🎙️ Last week, a group of Columbia professors — most of them Jewish — took a stand. Risking reprisal, they publicly rejected the university’s recent incorporation of a controversial definition of antisemitism. Their statements, excerpted here, can be read in full at cu-standsup.org/events/free-....
October 9, 2025 at 5:01 PM
cuimcstandsup.bsky.social
“Columbia must resist narratives that single out some students for protection while ignoring the suffering of others…The current lopsided treatment of students by this administration regarding the war in Gaza risks worsening the very divisions it claims to address.” (6/6)
Columbia must resist narratives that single out some students for protection while ignoring the suffering of others. These narratives misrepresent the nature and causes of campus tensions and provide the cover for outside attacks that undermine our university's mission. Columbia must reject pressures-whether from donors, alumni, political actors, or internal stakeholders-to privilege some views and silence others in the name of safety or institutional reputation. At its best, a university defends the full spectrum of intellectual freedom, not only fostering inclusion based on identity, but also protecting the right to protest, question, critique, and hold power accountable. This means respecting students and scholars across political, religious, and ideological spectra and protecting their civil rights. The current lopsided treatment of students by this administration regarding the war in Gaza risks worsening the very divisions it claims to address.
July 26, 2025 at 11:33 PM
cuimcstandsup.bsky.social
‼️🚨WHAT’S AT STAKE: Higher ed “has long served as a necessary counterweight to authoritarianism…

But that crucial role is possible only if universities support discourse that includes dissent and uphold their core values of inclusion, equity, and academic freedom consistently, not selectively” (5/6)
What's at stake Across the country, universities are under intensifying political pressure to suppress protest, narrow intellectual discourse, and align with authoritarian narratives. Higher education has long served as a vital space for critical thinking and dissent-a necessary counterweight to authoritarianism and the abuse of power. But that crucial role is possible only if universities support discourse that includes dissent and uphold their core values of inclusion, equity, and academic freedom consistently, not selectively.
July 26, 2025 at 11:31 PM
cuimcstandsup.bsky.social
“The findings…fall short of capturing the range of experiences of Jewish students on campus…

Columbia's prevailing discourse…oversimplifies and obscures these complex and painful realities, thereby undermining our community's ability to address the challenges.” (4/6)
The findings presented in the task force's report fall short of capturing the range of experiences of Jewish students on campus. Embedded within the data, and reflected in accounts since October 7, 2023, are the facts that many Jewish students have reported feeling alienated for criticizing Israel's assault on Gaza and some have been targeted by alumni and professors, or labeled as "self-hating Jews" for their support of Palestinian rights. In addition, Jewish students, like students of all backgrounds, have been exposed to threats, harassment, administrative punishment, arrest, and physical attacks for participating in a noble tradition of Columbia student protests against global injustices. Therefore framing all of the "immense challenges faced by our Jewish students" as a problem of antisemitism as Columbia's prevailing discourse does, oversimplifies and obscures these complex and painful realities, thereby undermining our community's ability to address the challenges.
July 26, 2025 at 11:31 PM
cuimcstandsup.bsky.social
“The current framing—which is endorsed by Columbia's leadership, exploited by the federal government, and echoed by their allies in the media—oversimplifies and obscures, and
risks deepening divisions rather than healing them.” 🎯 (3/6)
The University's responsibility is to respond to these complexities, not reduce them to a singular narrative of antisemitism. The current framing-which is endorsed by Columbia's leadership, exploited by the federal government, and echoed by their allies in the media- oversimplifies and obscures, risks deepening divisions rather than healing them.
July 26, 2025 at 11:31 PM
cuimcstandsup.bsky.social
“The administration's narrative obscures these facts, marginalizes the pain and suffering of Muslim students, and erroneously homogenizes Jewish students' experiences by ignoring the pressures many encountered for protesting Israel's assault on Gaza.” (2/6)
The data reflects a campus community struggling with grief, moral urgency, intense polarization, and the failure of University administration to broker the ensuing tension in a constructive manner. As described below, these struggles affect Jewish students and Muslim students at comparable rates. The administration's narrative obscures these facts, marginalizes the pain and suffering of Muslim students, and erroneously homogenizes Jewish students' experiences by ignoring the pressures many encountered for protesting Israel's assault on Gaza. Changing our understanding of the problem changes the solutions needed to address it.
July 26, 2025 at 11:31 PM
cuimcstandsup.bsky.social
We couldn’t have said it better ourselves:

“I don’t think the values of the Trump administration are the values of the Columbia medical faculty. In fact, I am certain they are not. We have made a deal with the devil. Those don’t usually work out.”

We can confirm ‼️
I don't think the values of the Trump administration are the values of the Columbia medical faculty. In fact, I am certain they are not. We have made a deal with the devil. Those don't usually work out. 1 And far from all of them were on board with a deal. See the web page of CUIMC Stands Up, a group of medical faculty who have and continue to oppose any deal under these circumstances. They have even launched a satirical newsletter, check it out!
July 24, 2025 at 7:08 PM
cuimcstandsup.bsky.social
Thank you to Rise Up, Columbia for the astute analysis as usual and the footnote shoutout to CUIMC Stands Up!

We’re a group of medical campus faculty & staff firmly against the exchange of our values for grant funds, even as our jobs & careers are at risk.

🔗 open.substack.com/pub/riseupco...
Columbia's Agreement with the Federal Government RISE UP, COLUMBIA TODAY AT 12:17 PM The Columbia administration has finally done what many of us have urged it not to do: it has signed a bad agreement with the federal government to address the government's phony concerns about Columbia. Here is the document. And here, importantly, is President Shipman's letter outlining her view of the document.
July 24, 2025 at 7:03 PM
cuimcstandsup.bsky.social
@columbiamed.bsky.social posted this on X? CUIMC has many obesity medicine docs, dietitians, etc. who study nutrition. Trustee Shoshana Shendelman isn’t one of them She’s been sued for fraud (hiding FDA concerns). Faculty have a petition to remove her from CU leadership: bit.ly/Remove-Trustee
Screenshot of a X post from @ColumbiaMed: Obesity is a serious public health issue nationwide, affecting nearly 20% of children in the U.S. To effectively address this crisis, @columbiaps' Dr. Shoshana Shendelman stresses the importance of collaboration between the pharmaceutical industry and community organizations like Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) @: columbiamed.link/4eeUeFr
June 27, 2025 at 8:23 PM
cuimcstandsup.bsky.social
We’re thrilled that Mahmoud Khalil has been reunited with his family

Our weekly vigils will continue at Columbia in protest of ICE detentions, deportations & displacement

Join us tomorrow 6/23 @ 12pm
📍Broadway & 116th

Please wear black, bring sun protection & water. We’ll be out for at least 30m
Close up photo of people’s hands holding black and white photos of 3 people’s faces: Mahmoud Khalil, Yunseo Chung, and Ranjani Srinivasan, three Columbia students who have faced government persecution for pro-Palestinian speech
June 23, 2025 at 3:50 AM
cuimcstandsup.bsky.social
Columbians won’t tolerate kings — which is why we’re standing up AGAINST authoritarianism and FOR democratic values & shared governance at @columbiauniversity.bsky.social and in all levels of government!

CUIMC, join us! There’s an interest form linked on our website homepage: www.cuimcstandsup.org
Photo of Columbia contingent at NYC No Kings March with a large banner that says Columbians Against Kings. People are holding umbrellas and wearing rain ponchos. A sign in the front says “diversity = strength”
June 17, 2025 at 3:28 PM
cuimcstandsup.bsky.social
The Columbia community SHOWED UP! Thank you so much to those who came out.

Our community is so strong and we will continue organizing in response to the Trump admin’s attacks on our university and on science and education everywhere

#NoKings #NoKingsNYC #RiseUpHigherEd
Photo of Columbia contingent at NYC No Kings March. People are holding umbrellas and wearing rain ponchos. A visible sign says “Protect Our Students”
June 17, 2025 at 3:26 PM
cuimcstandsup.bsky.social
Columbians Against Kings! 🦁❌👑

We had such a vibrant Columbia contingent at the NYC No Kings March!! 💙✊

Columbia faculty and staff will continue standing up for our research, our teaching, and most crucially, our students!

📸: @ninaber.bsky.social

#NoKings #RiseUpHigherEd #HandsOffOurStudents
Photo of Columbia contingent at NYC No Kings March with a large sign that says Columbians Against Kings. People are holding umbrellas and wearing rain ponchos. A t shirt in the front says Columbians Fighting Back over an upside down crown.
June 17, 2025 at 2:58 PM
cuimcstandsup.bsky.social
Columbia: Join our weekly vigil tomorrow (6/16) 12–1PM to say Hands Off Our Students & Colleagues facing government persecution for speech

📍MAIN CAMPUS: 116th & Broadway
📍CUIMC: Haven Plaza

Please wear black & remain silent during this 1-hr vigil

#CampusVigils #HandsOffOurStudents #RiseUpHigherEd
Image of a handwritten postcard with a question written by a Columbia community member for the Board of Trustees: “1- Why don't you defend your students and protect them from deportation?” Columbia faculty & staff wearing black stand at a vigil on the Morningside campus and hold images of students and colleagues who have been detained / persecuted by the government Columbia faculty & staff wearing black stand at a vigil on the CUIMC campus and hold images of students and colleagues who have been detained / persecuted by the government
June 16, 2025 at 12:03 AM
cuimcstandsup.bsky.social
That’s only 10 out of hundreds of questions we collected in just one week for the
@Columbia.bsky.social Board of Trustees — but don’t worry! We’ll be sharing more tomorrow, and the next day, etc. because it’s important that these powerful questions are heard! (6/6)
Handwritten postcards spread out on a wooden surface
June 10, 2025 at 4:03 AM
cuimcstandsup.bsky.social
“Why is peaceful protests by students treated as a threat, while external political coercion is met with deference? What values are you protecting if not the free exchange of ideas?” [transcribed]

“What are you guys doing to protect international students?” (5/?)
“Why is peaceful protests by students treated as a threat, while external political coercion is met with deference? What values are you protecting if not the free exchange of ideas?” [transcribed] “What are you guys doing to protect International students??”
June 10, 2025 at 2:47 AM
cuimcstandsup.bsky.social
“Where is our moral compass directed? Where is our backbone?”

“Why aren’t you fighting harder to get our grant money back?”

“Why are you so spineless — take a stand” (4/?)
“Where is our moral compass directed? Where is our backbone?” “Why aren’t you fighting harder to get our grant money back?” “Why are you so spineless — take a stand”
June 10, 2025 at 2:43 AM
cuimcstandsup.bsky.social
“What is the point of a university if we are willing to sacrifice its independence and core values? – Asst prof. in MSPH”

“How can you justify selling out your values? Where will you stand in the eyes of history?”

“Why don't you stand up to Trump?” (3/?)
“What is the point of a university if we are willing to sacrifice its independence and core values? – Asst prof. in MSPH” ”How can you justify selling out your values? Where will you stand in the eyes of history?” “Why don't you stand up to Trump?”
June 10, 2025 at 2:42 AM
cuimcstandsup.bsky.social
“As Jewish staff, I’m very disappointed that the CU administration is allowing the Trump administration to weaponize anti-semitism to further its white supremacist authoritarian goals. Can you not? Is this not so clear that that is what they are doing?” (2/?)
“As Jewish staff, I’m very disappointed that the CU administration is allowing the Trump administration to weaponize anti-semitism to further its white supremacist authoritarian goals. Can you not? Is this not so clear that that is what they are doing?” (2/?)
June 10, 2025 at 1:57 AM
cuimcstandsup.bsky.social
After reading aloud the questions on the steps of Low & taping some on the door, faculty & staff (+ Roaree 🦁) delivered the postcards to administrative staff for the @columbiauniversity.bsky.social BoTs.

Here, a postcard asks:

“What evidence do you have that appeasement works?” Signed: “a student”
Reading postcards aloud on Low steps Picking up piles of postcards from the ground Postcards taped to the door of Low a postcard asks: “What evidence do you have that appeasement works?” Signed: “a student”
June 10, 2025 at 1:52 AM
cuimcstandsup.bsky.social
Last week, faculty & staff across
@columbiauniversity.bsky.social
campuses gathered questions for the Board of Trustees on postcards then delivered them during their meeting on campus! 📬

HUNDREDS of CU community members wrote postcards w/ questions or submitted them online ✉️✍️

Read them here ⬇️
Messy pile of postcards with handwritten questions for Columbia trustees group of faculty and staff and Roaree the lion mascot knocking on the door of low library attempting to deliver the postcards Photo of Low Library at Columbia taken from in front of the Alma Mater statue which is visible to the left, on the right the postcards which were left taped to the door of Low are visible in the background
June 10, 2025 at 1:44 AM
cuimcstandsup.bsky.social
Our “Defunded Science Fair” was a huge success! Thank you to all who showed up to present. We had such great conversations with alumni on campus for alumni weekend. If you missed it, we hope to host another — stay tuned!
May 31, 2025 at 7:57 PM
cuimcstandsup.bsky.social
TODAY (5/31) 12pm: Columbia University researchers whose grants have been cut will be at our "DEFUNDED SCIENCE FAIR" 🧬🔬🔭🥼🧪🌍🌋📊

Come out to College Walk to hear about our work, why funding was terminated, & how this defunding will impact the Columbia community — and health care & science everywhere.
Poster for the “Defunded Science Fair” White text on blue background, a slightly transparent image of Alma Mater (a statue on Columbia’s campus) and Low Library taken from a low angle boarders the bottom of the page. Learn about The US Government's CUTS to Science and Medical Research at Universities CUT: Anything on Climate CUT: Anything on Global Health CUT: Anything on Social Determinants of Health CUT: Anything on Women's Health CUT: Anything on LGBTQ+ Health AND At Columbia the CUTS have gone even further including research for Alzheimer's, Cancer, Pediatric health, and EVERY young medical and public health investigator training program! Come join to hear from Columbia University Science and Medical Researchers who have lost their federal grant funding for the Defunded Science Fair What: Posters and meet and greet (*Ask me about my defunded research') with Columbia Science and Medical researchers When: Saturday 5/31/2025 Alumni Weekend 12-2pm Where: On College Walk between Low and Butler Library (or alternatively on the sidewalk on Broadway and 115th). Black text on white background, all caps, reads: ASK ME ABOUT MY DEFUNDED RESEARCH Underneath, red text on white background, all caps, with a boarder around and in the style of a stamp with a printed texture, the word: “TERMINATED”
May 31, 2025 at 2:28 PM
cuimcstandsup.bsky.social
This special vigil brought into focus the contrast between the Columbia that invites its alumni from all over the world back to campus for a weekend to reunite…
May 31, 2025 at 1:36 AM
cuimcstandsup.bsky.social
What does it mean to celebrate "reunion" in this context of repression of political speech, criminalization, and civil rights violations?
May 31, 2025 at 1:33 AM