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close to reaching an agreement with the Trump administration to restore $400 million in federal funding, which was revoked amid concerns over campus protests and policies.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. Officials argue that these measures are necessary to protect Jewish students from harassment and empower campus police.
The university’s funding was revoked following last year’s intense protests over the war in Gaza, which at times led to clashes between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel groups on campus.
Columbia faces a deadline to meet nine key demands before the Trump administration considers reinstating its federal funding. The conditions reportedly include:
- Enforcing disciplinary actions against students involved in the Hamilton Hall protests
- Transferring disciplinary oversight to the office of the president
- Formalizing a definition of antisemitism
- Reforming the admissions process
- Implementing an on-campus mask ban
Interim President Katrina Armstrong addressed the situation in a letter to the Columbia community on Wednesday, stating:
“Responsible stewardship means we must consider every appropriate action, work with our partners across the nation, and we are doing so… But we will never compromise our values of pedagogical independence, our commitment to academic freedom, or our obligation to follow the law.”
The original deadline for Columbia to accept the federal demands was Thursday, but reports indicate it has been extended to Friday as negotiations continue.
