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 policy, including measures that critics say could raise concerns about academic freedom and federal overreach.
The university’s concessions come amid ongoing negotiations with the federal government and as other institutions watch closely—particularly those that faced similar pro-Palestinian protests last year.
Among the most notable shifts, Columbia has agreed to ban face masks during campus demonstrations, a key demand from the Trump administration, which argued that face coverings were used to shield unlawful behavior.
“Public safety has determined that face masks or face coverings are not allowed for the purpose of concealing one’s identity in the commission of violations of University policies or local, state, or federal laws,” the memo states.
Additionally, 36 campus officers will now have arrest authority, increasing the university’s law enforcement powers.
The memo also outlines plans to tighten oversight of Columbia’s Middle East studies programs, placing them under the direction of a new senior vice provost. This official will begin an immediate review of academic programs focused on the region to ensure the curriculum is “comprehensive and balanced,” and that faculty reflect an “intellectually diverse academic environment.”
The move aligns with broader Trump administration efforts to crack down on what it sees as left-leaning ideology in higher education.
Despite Columbia’s compliance, it remains unclear whether the $400 million in funding will be fully restored, as negotiations continue past the initial Friday deadline. The suspension of federal funds has already had a significant impact, halting key university operations, including vital research projects.
Dr. Ian Lipkin, head of Columbia’s Center for Solutions for ME/CFS, said his research into chronic fatigue syndrome was frozen when federal money was pulled earlier this month.
“I’ve been hearing from patients over the past few days—what does this mean for me?” Lipkin said. “You promised me that you were going to try to get to the bottom of this, and now, I don’t know.”
Lipkin emphasized that his patients—many of whom are severely incapacitated with no effective treatments—have become unintended casualties in a political battle between the White House and a private university.
The developments at Columbia may set a precedent for other universities facing federal scrutiny over campus protests, political speech, and academic content. While the university maintains it is acting to promote safety and inclusivity, critics warn that federal pressure is eroding institutional independence.
Whether Columbia’s concessions will be enough to unlock withheld funding and restore normal operations remains to be seen—but for now, faculty, students, and researchers are left navigating the fallout of a high-stakes standoff between academia and Washington.
