Columbia University agrees on Friday To change its protest rules, the Department of Campus Security Policy and Middle East Research’s extraordinary concessions to the Trump administration, which refused to consider restoring $400 million in federal funding without overhaul.
The agreement was detailed in letters sent to federal officials and shared with members of the Columbia community, which could mark a new stage in the escalation of the government's conflict with elite universities. Harvard, Stanford, University of Michigan and dozens of other schools face federal inquiries and fears similar penalties, and university administrators say Columbia's response to White House demands could set a dangerous precedent.
This week, the Trump administration also explicitly targeted the University of Pennsylvania, which said it would cancel $175 million in federal funding for universities, at least in part because it allows trans women to participate in women's swimming teams.
Colombia faces hundreds of millions of dollars in government grants and contracts, which is what the Trump administration calls systemic failures that fail to protect students and faculty from “anti-Semitic violence and harassment”, so it chooses to succumb to several of the administration’s most important requirements.
The university said it has agreed to hire a new internal security force composed of 36 “special officials” who will have the right to evacuate or arrest them from campus. Wearing masks on campus will also be banned, with exceptions for religious and health reasons.
During protests against the Gaza war on campus, demonstrators said they should be able to cover up their identities to avoid being eliminated, and those who support masks will hold protesters accountable for harassment actions, they should be able to cover up their identities, saying the mask problem emerged last year.
The administrators said this is probably the most controversial move, and they will appoint a senior vice provost to oversee the Middle East, South Asia and Africa Research Department. The White House demanded that departments be placed under academic succession, an obscure step managers can take after long-term internal dysfunction.
University leaders noted that such federal intervention was extremely rare, warning that it could have a catastrophic impact on American academic freedom. Colombia did not call this move a catch position, but it seemed to be similar to one.
Columbia interim president Katrina A. Armstrong said in a letter Friday afternoon that the university’s response was an effort to “make every student, faculty and staff safe and welcome on our campus.”
“The way Colombians and Colombians are portrayed is hard to ignore,” Dr. Armstrong said. “We have challenges, yes, but they don't define us.”
She added: At all times, we are guided by our own values, bringing academic freedom, free expression, open inquiries and respect for all beyond every decision we make. ”
Colombia's move was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.
This is a developing story that will be updated.
