While large-scale protests have not yet erupted on Columbia University's campus like they did last spring, new and returning students arriving in the coming days might notice some early signs of unrest and additional safety measures.

Small protests and barricades cropped up around Columbia's Barnard College earlier this week, with reports of drones and a police presence. A history professor also shared photos of fenced-off green space on campus, "presumably to stop future encampments."

Columbia began restricting access to its Morningside campus on Aug. 9, in preparation for potential disruptions and protests ahead of the fall semester. Only those with university ID cards or pre-authorized guests are allowed to enter the area.

The new restrictions come after a series of pro-Palestinian protests last spring, which included encampments and a takeover of Hamilton Hall. Over 40 students were charged after the incident, but many have had those charges dropped. Most of those arrested following the demonstrations will be allowed to return to campus this fall, according to documents received by the congressional Committee on Education and the Workforce, which subpoenaed school officials on Wednesday as part of an ongoing antisemitism investigation.

Students are also exploring new ways to express their viewpoints.

Hundreds of Jewish and pro-Israel students recently gathered in Washington, D.C., for a leadership summit aimed at strategizing for the upcoming year, according to Fox News Digital. The summit, hosted by the Israel on Campus Coalition, focused on rallying students against rising antisemitism and bolstering pro-Israel activism.

Meanwhile, pro-Palestinian activists are gearing up for more protests. Despite over 2,000 arrests across the country last year, they are planning to intensify their efforts to push their institutions to divest from Israel, among other demands. Protesters are also strategizing new ways to raise awareness and apply pressure, despite more universities adopting stricter protesting policies surrounding demonstrations.

"We've been working all this summer on our plans, on what's next to pressure Columbia to listen to the students and to decide to be on the right side of history," Mahmoud Khalil, of Columbia University Apartheid Divest, told The Hill earlier this month.

Tensions have remained high at the Ivy League institution throughout the summer. Chief Operations Officer Cas Holloway had his Brooklyn residence vandalized by protesters last week, three university deans recently resigned after "antisemitic" text exchanges were revealed, and Columbia's President Minouche Shafik resigned last week following her controversial handling of student protests last semester.

University officials are also considering giving campus police broader authority to arrest protesters, though it's unclear if or when those policies will be put in place.

Columbia's fall semester begins Sept. 3.

Topics Columbia University, Protests, Israel