Columbia Agrees to Meet Federal Demands Amid Funding Standoff with Trump Administration
Columbia University has announced it will comply with a series of federal demands in an effort to restore $400 million in suspended funding, following intense pressure from the Trump administration. In a four-page memo titled “Advancing Our Work to Combat Discrimination, Harassment, and Antisemitism at Columbia,” Interim President Katrina Armstrong outlined sweeping changes to university […]
Trump Signs Executive Order to Begin Dismantling U.S. Education Department
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday initiating steps to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, fulfilling a long-standing campaign promise and delivering on a key conservative priority. Calling the agency “wasteful” and influenced by “liberal ideology,” Trump said the department had failed to improve student outcomes and that states could manage education […]
Columbia University Nearing Deal with Trump Administration to Restore Federal Funding
Columbia University is reportedly close to reaching an agreement with the Trump administration to restore $400 million in federal funding, which was revoked amid concerns over campus protests and policies. As part of the negotiations, the administration has demanded stricter campus policies, including a ban on masks during protests and a crackdown on anti-Israel demonstrations. […]
Columbia University Expels and Suspends Students Over Pro-Palestinian Protests
Columbia University has announced the expulsion and suspension of several students involved in the takeover of Hamilton Hall during pro-Palestinian protests last spring. The university also temporarily revoked the diplomas of some graduates who had participated in the demonstration. In a campus-wide email sent Thursday, Columbia stated that its judicial board determined sanctions for dozens […]
Department of Education Lays Off Nearly 50% of Workforce Amid Agency Shake-Up
The Department of Education (DOE) carried out mass layoffs on Tuesday night, cutting its workforce by nearly 50%. The reduction-in-force (RIF) notices were sent out at 6 p.m., affecting 1,315 employees and leaving 2,183 remaining staff members, according to senior DOE officials. Impacted employees will be placed on administrative leave starting March 21. DOE offices […]
Judge Blocks Deportation of Palestinian Columbia Student as Trump Vows More Arrests
A U.S. federal judge has temporarily blocked the deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian student at Columbia University, amid President Donald Trump’s crackdown on anti-Israel protesters. The court has scheduled a hearing for Wednesday to review the case further. Khalil, a legal permanent U.S. resident, was arrested Saturday and transferred to a federal detention center […]
Education Minister Adjusts Minimum Admission Age to 16 for 2024/2025 Academic Session
In a significant policy shift, Minister of Education Professor Tahir Mamman has accepted 16 years as the minimum admission age into tertiary institutions for the 2024/2025 academic session. This decision was made after stakeholders’ protests during the 2024 policy meeting organized by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). Initially, Professor Mamman had set the […]
Federal Judges Halt Key Aspects of Biden’s Student Loan Repayment Plan Amid Legal Challenges
Two federal court judges in Kansas and Missouri have halted parts of the Biden administration’s student loan repayment plan introduced last year, which aims to lower borrowers’ monthly payments and expedite debt forgiveness. The injunctions stem from lawsuits filed by Republican-led states, claiming that the administration exceeded its authority with the SAVE (Saving on a […]
Louisiana Mandates Ten Commandments Display in Public School Classrooms
Louisiana has become the first US state to mandate that every public school classroom, from elementary to university level, must display a poster of the Ten Commandments. Governor Jeff Landry signed the Republican-backed measure into law on Wednesday, citing the commandments as “the foundational documents of our state and national government.” The new law is […]
Students Stage Walkout During VCU Graduation Over Governor’s Speech
During the graduation ceremony at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) on Saturday, a significant number of students staged a walkout, reportedly in response to the appearance of the state governor, Glenn Youngkin, as the commencement speaker. The protest reflects ongoing tensions surrounding campus demonstrations and, more broadly, concerns over the Israel-Gaza conflict. This incident occurs amid […]
