Columbia University Agrees to Major Reforms After Trump Administration’s Ultimatum

Columbia University has agreed to implement sweeping reforms in response to a pressure campaign from the Trump administration, which threatened to cut billions of dollars in federal funding unless the university made significant changes. The reforms will include restructuring its Middle East studies department, overhauling rules on protests and student discipline, and expanding intellectual diversity.

The university’s interim president, Katrina Armstrong, announced on Friday that Columbia would adopt a new definition of antisemitism and strengthen its Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies. Additionally, the university will implement new policies prohibiting protests inside academic buildings, banning face masks to conceal identities during protests (with exceptions for health reasons), and reforming the student disciplinary process.

One of the most significant changes involves placing Columbia’s Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies Department under “academic receivership” for at least five years, which many critics argue is an unprecedented infringement on the university’s academic freedom. This reform was part of the Trump administration’s demand following its decision earlier this month to pull $400 million in research grants from the university over its handling of student protests against Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

While some faculty members and free speech advocates criticized Columbia’s response, accusing the university of yielding to external political pressure, Armstrong defended the decision, stating, “We have challenges, yes, but they do not define us.” Critics, however, including the New York Civil Liberties Union, warned that the changes could have dangerous consequences for academic freedom nationwide.

In her letter, Armstrong also addressed the concerns raised about antisemitism at the university, acknowledging the challenges but emphasizing that the institution remains committed to fostering a balanced and open academic environment. The reforms mark a major shift in the university’s policies, likely setting a precedent for future cases involving government intervention in academic affairs.