Cornell University cancelled all classes Friday after online death threats were made against the school’s Jewish students.
Provost Michael Kotlikoff and Vice President Christine Lovely confirmed the announcement in a system-wide email.
“No classes will be held, and faculty and staff will be excused from work, except for employees who provide essential services,” the email said.
The Biden administration unveiled plans to deploy numerous cybersecurity experts to assist schools in addressing the rise of antisemitic and Islamophobic threats. Multiple hate-related rhetoric and online posts were made against the Jewish community at Cornell University and… pic.twitter.com/xUBriW5lE8
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) October 30, 2023
“We hope that everyone will use this restorative time to take care of yourselves and reflect on how we can nurture the kind of caring, mutually supportive community that we all value,” the email continued.
A 21-year-old junior at the University was charged Tuesday with posting threats to kill Jewish students on campus.
Who is Patrick Dai, Cornell student accused of threatening Jewish peers? https://t.co/bFpZJzSvmh pic.twitter.com/uiLtLUjLNy
— New York Post (@nypost) November 2, 2023
“While we take some measure of relief in knowing that the alleged author of the vile antisemitic posts that threatened our Jewish community is in custody, it was disturbing to learn that he was a Cornell student,” Cornell President Martha Pollack said in a statement Wednesday.
Patrick Dai, a 21-year-old engineering student at Cornell University, faces federal charges after allegedly posting threats to kill Jewish students at the Ivy League school. pic.twitter.com/6FgIqo5V4K
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) November 1, 2023
This is a developing story.