Columbia University Faces Mounting Pressure Over Federal Demands and Campus Protests

Interim President Katrina Armstrong reaffirms commitment to policy changes as masked protests persist and federal funding remains frozen.

Columbia University is implementing a mask ban and increased oversight of its Middle East Studies department to address federal demands tied to combating antisemitism on campus.
Interim President Katrina Armstrong issued a public statement reiterating her commitment to the policy changes after conflicting private remarks caused confusion among faculty.
The Trump administration continues to withhold $400 million in federal funding, citing Columbia's failure to adequately protect Jewish students from harassment and discrimination.
Masked protests continue on campus, raising doubts about the university's enforcement of the new mask ban and other agreed-upon reforms.
Faculty dissatisfaction and lawsuits challenging the federal funding cuts highlight ongoing tensions over academic freedom and the university's response to federal intervention.