More than 1,000 students at Columbia University are refusing to pay this semester’s tuition fees after going on strike and demanding the Ivy League school in New York City lower its fees amid the CCP virus pandemic. The strike has been organized largely by the Columbia University-Barnard College chapter of Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA), which has partnered with other student groups to support the action. The group initiated the tuition strike on Jan. 22, the same date that payments for the semester were due, according to its Twitter account, which is posting regular updates about the situation. On Twitter, YDSA claims that some students were charged a $150 penalty for late fees this month, despite reassurances from university leaders that late fees would not be charged for January tuition. In an open letter to the presidents, trustees, and administrators of Columbia University, Barnard College, and Teachers College; students demanded the school reduce the cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, and room …