“Columbia University’s president, Nemat “Minouche” Shafik, said in a memo to police earlier Thursday that more than 100 people were occupying the area.
“I have determined that the encampment and related disruptions pose a clear and present danger to the substantial functioning of the University,” the memo said.
Shafik said the demonstrators were trespassing, refusing to disperse and damaging campus property, among other violations.
In a statement Thursday, Shafik said she authorized police to clear the encampment “out of an abundance of concern” for safety on campus”