Columbia University Settles Fart Spray Case

Columbia University has settled a lawsuit with an Israeli student, paying $395,000 following an incident where he used a novelty 'fart spray' during a pro-Palestine protest, which some initially reported as a 'chemical attack' involving skunk spray. The student, suspended after the January incident, claimed the spray was a harmless expression of speech, but several students who were exposed reported adverse symptoms, such as nausea and eye irritation. Columbia clarified that the spray was a non-toxic product purchased online, but investigations by the university and NYPD labeled the incident as potentially a hate crime. The House Committee on Education and the Workforce's report highlighted that Columbia failed to promptly correct the narrative surrounding the incident and that the disciplinary measures taken were excessive given the circumstances. The ongoing turmoil at Columbia around the Israel-Palestine conflict has led to significant student protests, with the incident underscoring broader tensions on campus. Following the lawsuit, one of the suspended students had his punishment reduced to probation.