Columbia University has agreed to implement some of the Trump administration’s demands as it seeks to restore federal funding that was cut earlier this month over allegations the school tolerated antisemitism on campus.
In a 4,000-word memo released Friday, the Ivy League institution outlined plans to reform its disciplinary process, hire campus security officers with arrest powers, and appoint a senior administrator to review its Middle East studies programs.
The funding freeze, which Columbia has described as unconstitutional, affects hundreds of millions of dollars in federal grants and contracts. The Trump administration has warned at least 60 other universities of similar action, making Columbia’s response a test case for academic institutions across the country.
One of the most controversial demands from the Trump administration involved placing Columbia’s Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies department under academic receivership—effectively stripping faculty of control for at least five years. While the university did not explicitly agree to this, it announced plans to review leadership and ensure a "balanced approach" in courses related to the Middle East.
Critics say the move represents an unprecedented federal intrusion into academic governance.
“This is arguably the greatest incursion into academic freedom since the McCarthy era,” said Todd Wolfson, a professor at Rutgers University and president of the American Association of University Professors.
Columbia students also voiced frustration. Mohammad Hemeida, chair of the Student Governing Board, said the university failed to consult students and faculty before making concessions.
"It's incredibly disappointing Columbia gave in to government pressure instead of standing firm on its commitments to academic freedom," he said.
Columbia also confirmed that it is recruiting 36 new peace officers with arrest powers, aligning with another demand from the Trump administration. The move follows months of protests on campus over the Israel-Gaza war, which saw large demonstrations, tent encampments, and calls for divestment from Israel.
The university also clarified that it already had restrictions on face masks during protests, except for medical or religious reasons. However, it did not commit to enforcing a rule requiring students to visibly display their Columbia ID badges, another demand from the administration.
The funding freeze has already disrupted critical medical and scientific research, affecting projects ranging from AI-assisted nursing tools to studies on women’s reproductive health. Researchers warn that further delays could significantly set back progress in these fields.
The White House did not immediately respond to Columbia’s memo. Officials previously stated that meeting the administration’s demands was a precondition before the university could enter formal negotiations to restore its federal funding.
As Columbia navigates this crisis, other universities are closely watching how it handles the fallout—potentially setting a precedent for how U.S. academic institutions respond to government scrutiny.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ