University Senate Campaign Interviews: Elisha Baker CC ’26
If elected, Baker will prioritize striking a balance between student and faculty power.
Mr. Baker is a junior at Columbia College studying Middle East history. He is currently campaigning to be a Columbia College Representative to the University Senate. Sundial editor-in-chief Alex Nagin spoke with Baker to discuss his views on student-administration relations and discrimination on campus.
Alex Nagin (AN): Please introduce yourself to the study body for those who may not know you.
Elisha Baker (EB): My name is Elisha Baker. I'm a student in Columbia College studying Middle East history. I come from a Jewish background, from Boston, Massachusetts. I've always been interested in the Middle East, and I feel extremely connected to the State of Israel, land of Israel, and the people in Israel as a core part of my Jewish identity. I am also the co-chair of Columbia Aryeh, which is a student-led Israel engagement, education, and advocacy organization at the Columbia Barnard Hillel.
AN: What do you believe is the largest threat to Columbia students during these unprecedented times?
EB: I believe that the greatest threat is the constant disruption to our learning environment that prevents us from being able to engage as full students in the ways that we came here seeking to do, I believe contributing to that threat in many ways, are fringe radical faculty members who have taken advantage of the University’s shared governance structure to push their own political and social agendas, and to prevent accountability for students that advocate in ways that are disruptive. I believe the greatest threat facing Columbia students is the potential for continued disruption and continued lack of accountability that gets in the way of our learning, and that prevents us from engaging across differences due to a stifling of alternative viewpoints.
AN: What do you say to people who consider such disruptions as advocating for an end to war? What do you say to students who think the current situation is more urgent and more complicated than simply saying “oh, we need to have dialogue.”
EB: Well, I'm open to dialogue. I'm all in on dialogue. But in my experience, I often ask protesters and I try to understand, is this about the issue you say it is, or is this bigger? For example, are the protests that are happening where they stay ICE off campus? Is that a protest against ICE, or is the protest in support of the general pro-Palestine cause, because I hear them start to chant “Free Palestine”, and I hear them chant things that you hear at any other protest. And then when we want to talk about the general protests, is it about the war in Gaza? I don't believe so. They've made it very clear that it's about the existence of the state of Israel. And if you don't believe that my side has a right to even be at the table, a right to exist, then how could we ever have dialogue? I'm not the one standing in the way of dialogue.
AN: A large part of your platform is about antisemitism on campus. Do you also believe that anti-Arab and Muslim sentiment is a problem on campus? And if so, how will you go about addressing both of these issues of prejudice in the Senate?
EB: I'm not in the business of denying anyone's experience. So if a Palestinian, Arab, or Muslim student reports that they experience discrimination, my default is that I believe them and I condemn it. When certain instances have occurred that I have seen people say things that are offensive towards communities other than mine, I do my best to stand up and say, that's a line you can't cross because my feeling, and as a member of the Jewish community, we hold ourselves to a really high standard, and so I'm committed to making sure that the Jewish community continues to stay respectful in the way that we engage, which I believe we have done. We've stayed respectful and empathic. And as a member of the University Senate, I'm committed to hearing all perspectives, not silencing anyone. And again, when discrimination happens, it should go to the Office of Institutional Equity and a determination should be found. It is not my responsibility to litigate no matter who is feeling discriminated against, whether or not their feelings are valid.
AN: This election is likely going to fall along partisan lines, to some extent. But if you had to, what would your pitch be to a student who isn't sure how they're going to vote, who is indifferent or not involved in either activist space? What is your pitch to that student?
EB: That’s a great question. If I'm elected to the University Senate, my mission will be to fight for the normal students who just want to go to class. That is my primary objective. It has been far too long on campus where we have seen disruptions to the learning environment, literally masked mobs running around campus, blocking access to buildings and literally preventing students from being able to hear their professors. That is not a tenable status quo on a university campus, and to all of the people who just want to go about their day and go to class, everything that I am aiming to do is intended to restore that culture on campus and to restore the environment that is conducive to teaching, learning and research, which I believe are the kind of primary missions of the University.
AN: [interrupting] Do you believe that the Trump administration's actions towards Columbia also count as a disruption to learning?
EB: I’m focused on positive outcomes for the University and for the students at this university. And by that, I mean, can Columbia find the courage and the leadership to enact the kinds of policy changes that will restore our learning environment to what it once was? That is what I'm focused on. And it is my hope that the University will be able to get their federal funding restored, because we know how important that funding is to life saving, ground breaking research is an indispensable part of our university, but again, that depends on whether or not the University has the courage to take the necessary actions.
AN: Which actions are you referring to?
EB: I believe there are many. I think that some of the demands from the U.S. government are going to have to be done, because we need to get our funding back and regardless, I think what President Shipman said was was strong. Columbia is going to do what we need to do, what we believe is right for our university. And if some of those things are in line with what the Trump administration has said, then so be it. That doesn't change the fact that Columbia is taking the actions that we deem necessary. And I'm hoping that things like, like a mask ban, and stronger time, place, and manner regulations, and actions that promote more viewpoint diversity will be taken, in order to restore our learning environment and make Columbia a better place for everyone.
AN: Finally, why are you prepared for this role, and what past experiences qualify you for it?
EB: I have taken on a role in Jewish communal leadership, and that often involves navigating a community with a wide range of viewpoints. I've engaged with University administrators and with faculty members, and I feel I deeply understand how the Senate works in particular, but also how the broader University governance structure works. And I feel that I've built leadership skills. I've built relationships across the University, and I have the understanding of Columbia's governance to be an effective leader and an effective change agent in this role.
Voting is open now for Columbia College students until Monday, April 21 at 5pm EST. Registration is not required. See more information about the candidates for CC Representative to the University Senate on the student elections webpage.
Mr. Nagin is a junior in the Trinity College Dublin Dual BA program studying political science. He is the editor-in-chief of Sundial.