Columbia University has agreed to a series of demands from the Trump administration to restore $400m in federal funding that was suspended over allegations of antisemitism on campus. The Ivy League institution released a memo outlining concessions, including banning face masks, empowering security to arrest individuals, and placing its Middle Eastern, South Asian and African Studies department under a new official, removing faculty control.
The move comes hours before a government deadline and is being closely watched by other universities facing similar sanctions. The Trump administration has warned at least 60 other institutions of possible action over civil rights compliance related to antisemitism, and has also targeted three law firms.
Among the most contentious demands, Columbia agreed to a review of its Middle East-related programs by a senior vice provost, who will oversee hiring and curriculum changes. Professor Jonathan Zimmerman of the University of Pennsylvania called it a 'sad day' and said there is no precedent for the government using funding to micromanage a university.
The funding freeze had already disrupted medical research, including projects on AI-based patient monitoring, blood-transfusion safety, and uterine fibroids. Researchers received termination notices citing 'unsafe antisemitic actions'. The White House had not responded to Columbia's memo as of Friday evening, leaving the funding status uncertain.
