University presidents have many responsibilities, similar to CEOs. This includes day-to-day administration, donor relations, and managing internal conflicts. Columbia University’s president is facing criticism for mishandling recent protests on campus. The university called the police to break up an encampment set up by pro-Palestinian protesters, going against the traditional tactics used by universities to manage protests. These tactics involve delaying and distracting protesters and engaging in dialogue to address their demands. The aggressive police intervention at Columbia has sparked solidarity protests at other campuses. Communication teams at universities are being criticized for their lack of clarity and inconsistency in handling the protests. The president of Columbia University is under pressure as students, parents, and alumni prepare to visit for commencement. Other universities have managed to handle similar protests without resorting to police intervention, focusing on peaceful engagement and dialogue to reach resolutions.
