Overview
- Chairman John Moolenaar sent a Nov. 6 letter urging Acting President Claire Shipman to end Columbia’s association with the China–United States Exchange Foundation and to scrutinize foreign funding of student groups.
- The committee singled out a SIPA “China Trek” organized through the Greater China Initiative, noting CUSEF’s co-sponsorship alongside Columbia’s Weatherhead East Asian Institute.
- According to the letter, the trek’s application materials state CUSEF would cover transportation, lodging, and board for participating students.
- The panel cites U.S. intelligence assessments, congressional testimony, and FARA filings to describe CUSEF as a CCP-linked United Front entity tied to the CPPCC and advancing Beijing’s interests.
- The committee urged Columbia to terminate CUSEF ties, tighten vetting of foreign partnerships and funding, and review student-group policies; Columbia has not announced a response and declined comment to the Daily Caller News Foundation.