Columbia University weighs compliance with Trump’s demands amid $400M federal funding threat – The Times of India

For the past two weeks, Columbia University has been at the center of media attention. In a recent development, The New York Post reported that the university is considering complying with President Trump’s demands, which include a campus-wide mask ban and a major crackdown on anti-Israel protests. The decision comes as a looming deadline approaches, with Columbia facing the risk of losing $400 million in federal funding if it does not comply.
Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal has highlighted a growing divide within Columbia’s Board of Trustees. Some members support meeting the federal demands, while others argue that doing so would mean compromising the university’s moral authority and academic independence in exchange for government funding.
According to The New York Post, the US government has imposed nine conditions on Columbia University as preconditions for formal negotiations regarding its financial relationship with the federal government. In a letter dated March 13, federal agencies instructed Columbia to strictly enforce its disciplinary policies, particularly by punishing individuals responsible for the violent April 2024 takeover of Hamilton Hall by masked anti-Israel protesters.
Previously, Columbia had taken disciplinary action by issuing multi-year suspensions, temporary degree revocations, and expulsions against some students involved in the protests. However, citing legal privacy restrictions, the university did not disclose the names of those disciplined or the exact number of students affected. Those facing disciplinary action have the right to appeal the university’s decision.
Columbia’s interim president, Katrina Armstrong, has defended the administration’s actions, stating that the concerns raised were legitimate and that the university is working with the government to address them. The ongoing campus demonstrations, along with pro-Israel counter-protests, have fueled debates about antisemitism, Islamophobia, and racism within the university, as reported by Reuters.
In a related development, Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian graduate student from Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs, was arrested by U.S. immigration agents at his university residence on March 8. Khalil, a U.S. permanent resident (green card holder), had been actively involved in pro-Palestinian protests.
Last week, the Trump administration announced the immediate withdrawal of $400 million in federal funding from Columbia University, as reported by the BBC. A joint statement from four federal agencies accused Columbia of “continued inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students”, citing the university’s alleged failure to combat antisemitism on campus.
The situation at Columbia University remains tense as the administration grapples with federal pressure, internal disagreements, and campus unrest. With funding at stake and ongoing debates over free speech and disciplinary actions, the university’s next steps will be closely watched. The outcome could set a precedent for how academic institutions navigate political and financial challenges.