January 28, 2021 |
More than 1,000 Columbia University students are not yet paying this semester’s tuition, demanding that the school reduce its cost amid financial difficulties and remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NBC News reported.
The tuition strike began last Friday as semester payments were due.
Those striking – undergraduate and graduate students – are calling for at least a 10% tuition decrease and to increase financial aid. Other demands include asking Columbia to end its gentrification of West Harlem and defund university police.
Columbia reported more than $300 million in gains during the pandemic, and undergraduate tuition alone is $58,920 for an academic year, more when counting additional expenses such as room and board.