Columbia University said Tuesday that the protesting students occupying a campus building as part of pro-Palestinian protests face being expelled from their academic programs, the latest move in a standoff with school officials - as reported by Agence France-Presse (AFP).

"Students occupying the building face expulsion," Columbia's office of public affairs said in a statement, adding that the protesters were provided "the opportunity to leave peacefully" but instead declined and escalated the situation.

The university said it had been "very clear" that it will not tolerate repeated interruptions by protesters violating campus rules.

"Continuing to do so will be met with clear consequences. Protesters have chosen to escalate to an untenable situation -- vandalizing property, breaking doors and windows, and blockading entrances -- and we are following through with the consequences we outlined yesterday," university spokesperson Ben Chang said in the statement.

Columbia said its threat of expulsion and other responses were aimed at the actions of the protesters, and not at their cause.

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