Columbia terminating staff after Trump orders funding cut
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A person holds a sign outside of Columbia University on April 30 in New York City. Photo: Adam Gray/Getty Images
Columbia University announced that nearly 180 staff members working on eliminated federal funding will be receive termination or non-renewal notices Tuesday.
The big picture: Professors and administrators fear that administration's blunt cuts to higher education institutions could set innovation back decades as scientific research takes a blow from political forces.
Driving the news: The university cited "intense" strain on its research mission after the Trump administration ordered $400 million in funding cuts, which the university is still negotiating to restore.
- Some schools and departments are winding down research activity in the wake of cuts, according to the statement addressed to the university committee that was signed by acting President Claire Shipman and other officials.
- The roughly 180 people impacted by Tuesday's cuts represent around 20% of the individuals who are funded in some way by terminated grants, the university said.
- Columbia has established a "Research Stabilization Fund," it said, to navigate "future finding risks" and support the university's scientific community.
What they're saying: "This is a deeply challenging time across all higher education, and we are attempting to navigate through tremendous ambiguity with precision, which will be imperfect at times," the statement read.
Catch up quick: The Trump administration has targeted several universities with allegations of antisemitism on campus following student protests against the Israel-Hamas war. Columbia was an epicenter for demonstrations last spring.
- President Trump threatened earlier this year to revoke federal funds for campuses that allow "illegal protests."
- Dozens of other universities were also put on notice in March that they were being investigated over allegations that they participated in "race-exclusionary practices" as the administration targetsl] diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Yes, but: After the administration pulled Columbia's funds, the university agreed to some of the administration's demands later in March.
- It agreed to hire new campus police officers and said it would require individuals wearing face masks or coverings during protests to present university identification when asked, among other changes.
- However, the interim president at the time stepped down and was replaced by Shipman.
What we're watching: The university said that in the "coming weeks and months," it will need to take continued action to "preserve our financial flexibility and allow us to invest in areas that drive us forward."
- Moving forward, Columbia will be "running lighter footprints of research infrastructure in some areas and, in others, maintaining a level of research continuity as we pursue alternate funding sources."
Go deeper: America's college chaos
