Columbia U. 'on the right track' to recover federal funding: Education Sec.
Columbia students, professors rally
Demonstrators gathered at Columbia University after the school agreed to several demands from the Trump administration to restore $400 million in federal funding. The changes, made to address concerns about antisemitism on campus, have sparked backlash from students and faculty who say the university yielded to political pressure. Some also rallied in support of Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student and activist who remains in ICE custody. FOX 5’s Sharon Crowley reports from Morningside Heights.
NEW YORK - U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said Columbia University is "on the right track" toward recovering federal funding after the elite New York City university agreed to implement a host of policy changes demanded by the Trump administration.
Appearing on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday, McMahon described "great conversations" with Columbia's interim president, Katrina Armstrong.
"She said she knew that this was her responsibility to make sure that children on her campus were safe," McMahon said. "She wanted to make sure there was no discrimination of any kind. She wanted to address any systemic issues that were identified relative to the antisemitism on campus."
Pro-Palestinian student protestors at Columbia University Tuesday, April 30, 2024 after they occupied Hamilton Hall overnight. (Barry Williams/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Armstrong announced Friday that the university would put its Middle East studies department under new supervision and overhaul its rules for protests and student discipline. It also agreed to adopt a new definition of antisemitism and expand "intellectual diversity" by staffing up its Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies, according to an outline posted on its website.
Earlier this month, the Trump administration pulled $400 million in research grants and other funding over how the university handled protests against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. In order to consider restoring those funds and billions more in future grants, federal officials demanded nine separate changes to the university's academic and security policies.
Trump administration has new accusations against Mahmoud Khalil
The Trump administration is lodging new accusations against Mahmoud Khalil, alleging that the detained Palestinian activist failed to disclose information when he applied to become a permanent U.S. resident. Plus, Columbia University is on track to recover federal funding. FOX 5 NY's Hayley Fixler breaks down the details.
Armstrong's decision acceding to the administration's demands drew condemnation from some faculty and free speech groups, who accused the university of caving to President Donald Trump’s largely unprecedented intrusion on academic freedom.
Asked whether the university had done enough to secure its funding, McMahon said: "We are on the right track now to make sure the final negotiations to unfreeze that money will be in place."
The Trump administration's crackdown on Columbia University, where a massive pro-Palestinian protest movement began with a tent encampment last spring, has thrust the campus into crisis and sparked fears of similar actions at colleges across the country.
Federal immigration officials on March 8 arrested Mahmoud Khalil, an activist who served as a spokesperson and negotiator for pro-Palestinian demonstrators last year. Khalil, a legal permanent resident, is challenging his detention and potential deportation in court.