Columbia Spectator, Rebecca Massel, December 9, 2023
In the “One Dollar Pledge,” alumni wrote an open letter to the University and committed to donating only $1 to Columbia “not in anger, but in sadness and in hope” until they see the University “stand on the right side of history, against hate.”
“I cannot in good conscience stand by idly while my university refuses to take all necessary steps to end antisemitism on campus and fails to unequivocally call out the barbarity of Hamas, whose evil actions are not only directed at the people of Israel but also the civilians of Gaza each and every day,” the open letter reads.
Two billionaire alumni have publicly cut ties with Columbia. Leon Cooperman, Business ’67, vowed to stop donations to Columbia, and Henry Swieca, Business ’83, resigned from the Business School board, both citing rising antisemitism on campus and an inadequate University response.
The University has also postponed its annual Giving Day, which was scheduled to take place in October.