Columbia caves to Trump demands to regain $400 million in funding
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Columbia University on May 6, 2024, in New York City. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Columbia University agreed to some of the Trump administration's demands after some $400 million in federal grants and contracts were pulled from the university over allegations of antisemitism, per a university memo shared Friday.
The big picture: The agreement comes as the Trump administration's attack on higher education has led to lost jobs and grants and instilled much anxiety.
- The news was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Driving the news: The university agreed to hire three dozen campus police officers who will have the power to arrest students.
- It will also require individuals wearing face masks or face coverings during protests or demonstrations to present university identification when asked.
- It also appointed a new senior vice provost with authority over the department of Middle East, South Asian and African Studies and the Center for Palestine Studies.
Zoom in: The Trump administration listed nine demands Columbia had to meet as preconditions to formal negotiations about federal funding.
- They included banning masks, transferring the disciplinary power over students to the university president, and allowing campus law enforcement to arrest "agitators."
What they're saying: The university's interim president, Katrina Armstrong, said in a letter to students Friday that Columbia's response was a part of its work to "make every student, faculty, and staff member safe and welcome on our campus."
- She said the "progress on several of our key priorities" has been shared with the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the General Services Administration.
- "The way Columbia and Columbians have been portrayed is hard to reckon with," she wrote. "We have challenges, yes, but they do not define us."
Catch up quick: The Trump administration cited Columbia's alleged "continued inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students" when it announced the funding cuts earlier this month.
- A week later, the university announced after months-long process that it was disciplining students involved in the occupation of a campus building during protests against the Israel-Hamas war last spring.
- Columbia was the epicenter of nationwide student protests over the war in Gaza last year.
Between the lines: The university has also been cast into the spotlight this month after federal agents arrested Columbia protest leader Mahmoud Khalil.
- Khalil, a Columbia graduate and legal resident from Syria, helped lead the protests, which disrupted campus activities and led to allegations of antisemitic harassment of some Jewish students.
- Khalil, who was being held in an ICE detention facility in Louisiana, has not been charged with or accused of any crimes.
Zoom out: The Trump administration has vowed to withhold funding from dozens of universities over a myriad of policies.
- This week it paused $175 million in federal funding to the University of Pennsylvania over its transgender athlete policy.
- The administration has warned 60 colleges, including Harvard and Yale, that their federal funds could be cut if they don't address allegations of antisemitic harassment on campus.
- The Department of Education, which Trump is now aiming to shutter, also launched investigations into 45 colleges over allegations that they participated in "race-exclusionary practices," as part of its crack down on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Editor's note: This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
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