For the past two weeks, Columbia University has been in the news. In a recent development, the university has introduced a series of new policies, including restrictions on demonstrations, revised disciplinary procedures, and an immediate review of its Middle East curriculum—moves that appear to be significant concessions, as reported by CNN.
This decision follows the Trump administration’s announcement of the immediate withdrawal of $400 million in federal funding from Columbia, citing the university’s alleged failure to combat antisemitism. A joint statement from four federal agencies, as reported by the BBC, accused Columbia of displaying “continued inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students.”
Additionally, the Trump administration has demanded several reforms, including stricter enforcement of disciplinary policies, the implementation of new protest regulations, a ban on masks during demonstrations, a plan to hold student groups accountable, enhanced law enforcement measures, and a comprehensive review of the university’s Middle East studies programs and admissions policies.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to cut federal funding to colleges accused of tolerating antisemitism, particularly in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war, which began in October 2023. Columbia is the first institution to experience such funding cuts.
In a letter to the university’s academic community, Columbia’s Board of Trustees endorsed the reforms, stating that they had engaged with federal agencies to discuss the school’s policy changes. The trustees expressed their belief that these measures align with Columbia’s values and mission, as reported by CNN.
CNN further reported that Columbia is hiring 36 new campus police officers, specifically trained to handle protests, with the authority to remove or arrest demonstrators. The university also confirmed that it will continue cooperating with the New York Police Department as necessary.
Under the revised policies, all individuals participating in protests or demonstrations will be required to present their university ID upon request. Additionally, wearing face coverings to conceal one’s identity during protests is now prohibited, according to university documents.
Columbia is also appointing a new senior vice provost to oversee a “thorough review” of its curriculum, beginning with Middle East studies. The university stated that it aims to expand intellectual diversity among faculty members to ensure fairness in Middle East studies and is committed to upholding “institutional neutrality” across all academic departments, reports CNN.
Moreover, the university has pledged to reassess its admissions policies, highlighting concerns over the declining enrollment of Jewish and Black students.
Meanwhile, Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian graduate student from Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs, was arrested by US immigration agents at his university residence on March 8. Khalil, a US permanent resident (green card holder), was actively involved in pro-Palestinian protests. Reuters reports that his arrest is part of former President Donald Trump’s broader crackdown on anti-Israel activists—a move that has faced sharp criticism from civil rights organizations. Advocacy groups have condemned the detention, calling it an attack on protected political speech.
