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Columbia University Agrees to Federal Demands After $400M Funding Freeze

The university has implemented sweeping policy changes, including banning masks and increasing oversight, to address allegations of antisemitism and begin negotiations to restore federal funding.

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Overview

  • Columbia University complied with the Trump administration's demands to ban masks, empower campus police to arrest students, and place its Middle East studies department under new oversight.
  • The university adopted a new definition of antisemitism and revised its protest and disciplinary policies as part of the agreement.
  • The Trump administration revoked $400 million in federal funding earlier this month, citing Columbia's alleged failure to protect Jewish students from harassment during pro-Palestinian protests.
  • Faculty and civil rights groups criticized the measures, warning they set a dangerous precedent for government interference in academic freedom.
  • Columbia's compliance is a precondition for negotiations to restore funding, but the administration has indicated further steps may be required.