Columbia University has agreed to several demands from the Trump administration as it seeks to restore federal funding that was cut earlier this month due to allegations of the university tolerating antisemitism on campus. In a detailed 4,000-word memo released Friday, the Ivy League institution outlined reforms, including changes to its disciplinary process, hiring campus security officers with arrest powers, and appointing a senior administrator to oversee its Middle East studies programs.
The funding freeze, which Columbia labeled as unconstitutional, affects hundreds of millions of dollars in federal grants and contracts. Columbia’s response is now seen as a test case for other academic institutions, as the Trump administration has warned over 60 universities of similar action.
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Among the most controversial demands was the proposal to place Columbia’s Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies department under academic receivership. Although Columbia did not fully concede to this, it announced plans to review leadership in these areas and ensure courses on the Middle East reflect a balanced approach. Critics argue this represents an unprecedented federal intrusion into academic governance, with some likening it to McCarthy-era interventions.
In addition to these reforms, Columbia confirmed it is recruiting 36 new campus security officers with arrest powers. The decision follows months of protests related to the Israel-Gaza conflict, which saw large demonstrations and calls for divestment from Israel. Despite these actions, some students expressed disappointment, accusing the university of yielding to government pressure without consulting its community.
The funding freeze has already disrupted critical research at Columbia, including projects related to women’s health and AI-assisted nursing. Further delays could significantly hamper scientific progress, researchers warn.
Columbia’s response to the administration’s demands could set a precedent for other universities, as academic institutions across the U.S. closely monitor how the situation unfolds.
