Columbia Implements Reforms to Restore $400 Million in Federal Funds

Columbia University has agreed to a series of significant reforms to restore $400 million in federal funding revoked by the Trump administration amid allegations of antisemitism on campus. The university will implement nine demands, including banning masks at protests, empowering 36 campus police officers with arrest authority, and placing its Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies department under direct administrative oversight. Critics express concerns that these changes could undermine academic freedom and set a dangerous precedent for government involvement in university governance. Columbia's interim president emphasized the need to address concerns of discrimination and harassment within the university community. The administration's actions are part of a broader crackdown on alleged antisemitism and could influence other universities facing similar scrutiny. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between educational institutions and government policy regarding free expression and diversity initiatives.