BURSTThe Trump administration on Monday cheered Columbia University’s decision last week to comply with its demands to change disciplinary procedures and other policies in order to begin talks to restore some $400 million in federal funding.
“Columbia is demonstrating appropriate cooperation with the Trump Administration’s requirements, and we look forward to a lasting resolution,” said Secretary of Education Linda McMahon in a joint press release with the Department of Health and Human Services and the General Services Administration.
“I have been in communication with Columbia University Interim President Katrina Armstrong over the last few weeks and appreciate her leadership and commitment to advance truly meaningful reforms on campus,” McMahon added.
Republicans accuse the Ivy League school of failing to protect its students from antisemitism. Trump officials have also targeted specific members of the Columbia community over their participation in pro-Palestinian protests.
Columbia agreed to all of the Trump administration’s terms, including the most controversial ones such as putting certain departments under academic receivership.
Other changes include no masks except for religious or health reasons, in which case an individual would have to keep their Columbia ID on them; updating the school's definition of antisemitism, clarifying policies on the time, place and manner of allowed protests.
The Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism reiterated Columbia’s changes are only the “first step in rehabilitating its relationship with the government, and more importantly, its students and faculty.”
The administration said Columbia’s decision should “serve as a roadmap” for how other universities should respond that have “similar problems.”
“Columbia’s early steps are a positive sign, but they must continue to show that they are serious in their resolve to end anti-Semitism and protect all students and faculty on their campus through permanent and structural reform,” said task force member Josh Gruenbaum.
“Other universities that are being investigated by the Task Force should expect the same level of scrutiny and swiftness of action if they don’t act to protect their students and stop anti-Semitic behavior on campus,” he added.