Columbia University is frantically changing policies to regain $400 million in federal funding that was frozen after anti-Israel protests rocked the campus. Education Secretary Linda McMahon says the Ivy League institution is heading in the right direction, but only after facing serious consequences from the Trump administration. Trump’s pressure works!
At a glance:
• Columbia University is working to regain $400 million in federal funding suspended by the Trump administration
• The university must implement nine specific policy changes demanded by federal officials
• Changes include a new definition of anti-Semitism and revised student discipline rules
• Education Secretary Linda McMahon reports positive progress in discussions with Columbia’s leadership
• Some faculty members and free speech advocates have criticized the university for yielding to government demands
Trump Administration Forces Columbia to Reform Policies
Columbia University is implementing sweeping policy changes after the Trump administration suspended $400 million in federal research funding over the elite school’s inadequate response to anti-Israel protests. The university’s capitulation comes after months of controversy surrounding pro-Palestinian demonstrations that created an unsafe environment for Jewish students.
And the left said Trump’s tactics don’t work…
Education Secretary Linda McMahon recently revealed that Columbia is making progress toward regaining its federal funding after agreeing to the policy changes mandated by the Trump administration. McMahon has held productive discussions with Columbia’s interim president, Katrina Armstrong, about ensuring campus safety and addressing anti-Semitism.
Federal officials required Columbia to make nine specific changes to its academic and security policies before funding could be restored. These changes directly target the issues that led to chaos on campus during last spring’s protests, when many Jewish students reported feeling threatened and unsafe.
Yes, it took the Republicans to step in and stop American universities advancing antisemitic ideas. The Democrats let this happen!
Columbia’s New Anti-Semitism Policies
Columbia has announced several major reforms to address the administration’s concerns, including increased supervision of its Middle East studies department and a revised definition of anti-Semitism. The university will now enhance “intellectual diversity” by hiring more staff at its Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies, ensuring more balanced perspectives are represented.
Additional changes include a ban on student masks except for health or religious reasons, a revised recruitment and admissions process, and increased administrative oversight. These measures aim to prevent the anonymous intimidation tactics used by some protesters while ensuring campus safety for all students.
Columbia’s judicial board for student discipline will now also include administrators and faculty members rather than being primarily student-led, addressing concerns that the previous system was too lenient on disruptive protesters. Public safety staff will also be increased.
If Columbia can do it, then you can bet other American universities will change their ways, too.
