Pro-Palestinian protests are popping up at universities across the country.

Campus Chaos

The Story

Pro-Palestinian protests are popping up at universities across the country.

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Since the encampment protests began at Columbia University last week, students at the ​​Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Michigan, Yale, the University of California, Berkeley, and New York University, have followed suit. The demonstrations against the war in Gaza are calling on universities to divest from companies with ties to Israel. The protests have raised concerns about the safety of Jewish students amid reports of antisemitism. Now, many are watching to see how the standoff on college campuses unfolds.

What’s being done?

Some universities have turned to arrests and suspensions, prompting backlash that college officials are curtailing free speech. At least 160 people, including students and reportedly faculty, have been arrested at Columbia, Yale, and NYU. Police said they allegedly refused orders to leave. Columbia reportedly said classes at its main campus will be hybrid through the end of the spring semester. Meanwhile, New York lawmakers and President Biden condemned the reports of antisemitism. Some Jewish students said they no longer feel safe on campus. Others said outside instigators, not students, are responsible for the antisemitic harassment.

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Student demonstrations across university campuses have reached a boiling point. The escalating tensions have put a spotlight on schools’ responses as they balance free speech and concerns over safety.

What will be more private…

Abortion-related medical records. Yesterday, the Biden administration issued a new rule giving people who provide or have had a legal abortion greater privacy protections during criminal investigations. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) prevents medical providers and health insurers from sharing medical information about patients. But law enforcement has typically been allowed to access those records for investigations. The new rule changes that, preventing authorities from getting reproductive health care records in states where abortion is legal. The change aims to better protect people crossing state lines for an abortion. Republicans have threatened to sue the admin, saying the rule violates states’ rights.

What’s moving right along…

The first criminal trial against a former US president. Yesterday, the prosecution and the defense delivered opening statements in the hush money case involving former President Trump. Prosecutors said the case is about a “criminal conspiracy and a coverup,” accusing Trump of creating a scheme to protect his 2016 presidential campaign. Trump’s lawyer said the former president hasn’t done anything illegal and that “there’s nothing wrong with trying to influence an election.” The first witness, a former publisher of the National Enquirer, took the stand and will continue with testimony today.

What’s not coming in clutch…

A luxury handbag merger. Yesterday, federal regulators in the US sued to block Coach’s parent company, Tapestry, from taking over Capri, which owns Michael Kors. Regulators said the merger would harm the luxury goods market. The companies plan to defend the deal after learning it wasn’t in the bag.

What some lawmakers are cracking down on…

Skipping the line at airports.

Who millennials are pouring one out for...

Express.

What could be the MVP of the “three drink theory”...

Coffee.

Who dropped her hair care routine...

Beyoncé.

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When you show up to a party and know zero people

Relatable? If that’s a hard ‘yes,’ our next edition of Skimm Well will include conversation starters for the socially awkward. So you can say, “This is fine,” and mean it. 

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