Columbia University shut down a Chinese students' organization because of "ongoing violations of multiple financial and student organizational policies" after it had been placed on probation, a school official said Wednesday.

Robert Hornsby, associate vice president of media relations at the New York-based university, said in a statement to China Daily: “The ongoing violations of multiple financial and student organizational policies by CUCSSA (Columbia University Chinese Students and Scholars Association) persisted after the organization had been placed on probation, making the recent disciplinary action unavoidable."

Hornsby declined to disclose the policies or regulations that the university said the organization violated.

The student organization put a statement on its website on March 21 saying it had been "de-recognized" by the university and "not programming or engaging in any activities." Its website has stopped updates, and its online forum has been shut down .

The Columbia association, which was founded in 1996, couldn't be reached for comment.

Some Chinese international students at Columbia called for the school's order to be rescinded, and Hornsby said Columbia "will consider future re-recognition of this group in accordance with University policy."

Hornsby said the association has been treated in the same manner as other student groups. "The number of students from China enrolled at Columbia exceeds any other group of international students by a substantial margin, a fact we celebrate and take pride in," he added.

Many US universities have their own Chinese Scholar and Students Association (CSSA), and the organization is often referred to "the student union for Chinese students." The Columbia organization was founded in 1996. In New York City, CSSA also is at New York, Pace and Fordham universities.

Lu Huiquan in New York contributed to this story.