Columbia University Implements Mask Ban, Hires Special Officers

Columbia University has agreed to implement a series of new policies to comply with demands from the Trump administration in order to negotiate the reinstatement of $400 million in federal funding. Key changes include a ban on masks during protests, the hiring of 36 new special officers with arrest powers, and the appointment of a senior vice provost to oversee the Middle Eastern studies department. Interim President Katrina Armstrong emphasized the university's commitment to creating a safe environment for all students, while critics argue that these measures threaten academic freedom and independence. This decision follows a series of anti-Israel protests on campus that raised concerns about antisemitism and harassment of Jewish students. Although compliance does not guarantee funding restoration, it is a necessary step for formal negotiations with the federal government. The new policies have sparked debate among faculty and students regarding their implications for civil liberties and academic integrity.