Columbia University is making significant changes to its policies in response to the Trump administration’s demands, which could affect its federal funding. The university announced these adjustments on Friday, highlighting a new approach to protests and a review of its Middle Eastern studies program.
In a letter from interim president, Katrina Armstrong, it was revealed that the university will appoint a senior vice provost to review its regional studies programs, starting with the Middle East. This move follows an ultimatum from the Trump administration, which criticized the university’s handling of protests related to Israel’s military actions in Gaza, labeling some of these protests as antisemitic.
To comply with federal expectations, Columbia will now prohibit protests inside academic buildings and will restrict face masks on campus, allowing exceptions only for health reasons. In a push for reform, the federal government has threatened to cut significant funding—including $400 million in research grants—if the university doesn’t comply with these changes.
A key demand from federal officials includes placing the university’s Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies Department under strict oversight for at least five years. They also insisted on adopting a new definition of antisemitism, revising the current disciplinary measures for students, and developing a plan to reform admissions processes.
Columbia University has agreed to make several of these changes, including adopting a new antisemitism definition, signaling a shift in its approach to align more closely with federal expectations while navigating the complex landscape of academic freedom and funding.
