Columbia University agrees to Trump administration demands amid fears of federal funding cuts – JURIST
Columbia University on Friday agreed to several demands from the Trump administration, including the change of its Middle East studies supervision, and amendments to rules for student protests and discipline.
The statement released on the University’s website announced that the Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African studies department and the Center for Palestine Studies will be placed under the supervision of the senior vice Provost, agreeing to the Trump administration’s demand of employing a chair from outside the department.
Additionally, the decision noted that “face masks or face coverings are not allowed for the purpose of concealing one’s identity,” citing violations of state, municipal, and federal laws. The University, however, reassured that face coverings for religious or medical reasons are allowed on campus.
The statement noted that the University’s Judicial Board (UJB) was being placed under the supervision of the Office of the Provost and that membership to the body would be restricted to faculty and administrators only. Earlier this month, the UJB issued suspensions and temporary degree revocations for students involved in the April 2024 occupation of Hamilton Hall.
The initial demand by the Trump administration was a complete abolishment of the UJB, requesting the placement of its disciplinary processes under the Office of the President of Columbia.
Announcing the changes, Interim President of Columbia University Katrina Armstrong stated that the cooperation with several federal agencies reflects the university’s efforts to “ensure uninterrupted academic activities, and make every student, faculty, and staff member safe and welcome on our campus.”
The decision comes amid the threats from the Trump administration of cutting $400 million in federal funding to Columbia, unless several demands were met: including taking disciplinary action for students involved in the April 2024 “Gaza Solidarization Encampments.”
According to Jameel Jaffer, executive director of Knight First Institute at Columbia University, “The subjugation of universities to official power is a hallmark of autocracy. No one should be under any illusions about what’s going on here.”
Alex Abdo, Knight First Institute’s litigation director added that “the First Amendment gives private universities the right to shape their own expressive environments, including by deciding what speech and debate to allow on their campuses,” calling Trump administration’s request as an assault on the foundations of the higher education.
