The Trump administration has announced the suspension of $400 million in federal funding for Columbia University in New York, citing the university’s failure to take appropriate measures to prevent the harassment of Jewish students, according to a BBC report. In a joint statement issued on Friday, four federal agencies stated that despite the continuous harassment of Jewish students on campus, the university administration had failed to take effective action. Last year, Columbia University became a focal point for pro-Palestinian protests that spread across U.S. college campuses against the Gaza war and U.S. support for Israel.
Earlier this week, President Trump warned that educational institutions allowing illegal protests would have their funding revoked. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement on Friday, “When Jewish students faced violence, intimidation, and communal harassment, the university administration failed in its duty to protect them. With today’s decision, we are making it clear to Columbia and other universities that such negligence will no longer be tolerated.”
A spokesperson for Columbia University told the BBC that they are reviewing the announcement and will work with the government to restore funding. The spokesperson said that “We take Columbia’s legal responsibilities very seriously and are aware of the significance of this decision. We are committed to combating anti-Semitism and ensuring the safety of students, faculty, and staff.” Columbia University is one of the top higher education institutions in the United States, with approximately 30,000 students. Its renowned Morningside Heights campus is located on Manhattan’s west side. In October 2023, following an unprecedented border-crossing attack by Hamas, Israel launched a military operation in Gaza. The attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of 251 hostages. According to the Hamas-controlled health ministry, Israeli operations have since killed 48,440 Palestinians.
Although a ceasefire agreement was reached in January, it has recently become fragile. Last year, Columbia University witnessed large-scale student protests against the Gaza war, including the occupation of Hamilton Hall, which protesters renamed “Hind’s Hall” after five year old Hind Rajab, who was killed in Gaza. As a result of these protests, Columbia University President Minouche Shafik resigned in August, making it the third Ivy League university to see a top official step down due to controversy over the Gaza war.
On Friday, Columbia’s interim president, Katrina Armstrong, described the situation as “a highly precarious time” for the university. According to The New York Times, she wrote in an email, “The suspension of this funding will affect our research, student and faculty activities, and even medical services.” In the 2024 fiscal year Columbia received $1.3 billion in total annual revenue from federal funding. Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, has criticized the decision and calling it illegal.
She argued, “This is essentially an attempt to force colleges and universities to suppress student movements that do not align with the Trump administration’s ideology such as criticism of Israel or pro Palestinian activism.” On the other hand, Brian Cohen, a member of a Jewish student organization, told The Associated Press that he believes this decision serves as “a wake up call” for Columbia, urging the university to take Jewish students’ safety more seriously. On Friday, Columbia University authorities announced that four students had been arrested in connection with “protest-related disorder” at Barnard College on Wednesday. The arrested students have been temporarily suspended and banned from campus.
Source: The Business Standard
