Priyanka Tiwari
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Months before Columbia University’s interim president Katrina Armstrong resigned, conservative groups had already begun pushing for strict reforms in higher education. Max Eden, then at the American Enterprise Institute, suggested the Education Department should take aggressive action. In a published opinion, he advocated canceling research grants and deporting international students involved in campus protests, naming Columbia University as a primary target.
Columbia Becomes the First Test Case
During his campaign, Donald Trump accused universities of spreading ideological bias and failing to prevent antisemitic actions. After taking office, his administration began implementing measures that mirrored Eden's suggestions. Columbia University was the first institution to lose federal funding—$400 million was cut following allegations that the school failed to protect Jewish students from discrimination. Immigration authorities detained or threatened deportation for international students allegedly involved in pro-Palestinian protests.
Expansion to Other Ivy League Institutions
The action didn’t stop at Columbia. Soon after Linda McMahon’s confirmation as Education Secretary, the administration sent enforcement warnings to 70 universities, including Harvard, Princeton, Brown, and the University of Pennsylvania. At Harvard, reforms demanded included the elimination of DEI programs and a shift to merit-based hiring practices.
Legal Pushback and Rising Tensions
Although Columbia itself has not taken legal action, its faculty unions have. The American Association of University Professors and the American Federation of Teachers filed lawsuits, citing violations of free speech and civil rights. Meanwhile, international students, particularly from Middle Eastern countries, report increased fear and uncertainty. Several detentions have already taken place, sparking backlash from civil rights organizations.
Impact on Research and Scientific Work
Columbia’s research infrastructure is already seeing the consequences. At the Irving Medical Center, 25% of NIH grants were abruptly terminated, affecting research in vital areas such as autism and neurological disorders. Faculty have expressed concern over the loss of funding for early-career scientists.
Demands from the Federal Government
To reinstate funding, Columbia was given a list of demands. These included overhauls in protest rules, authority given to campus police, and structural changes in academic oversight. While the university made some changes, it stopped short of full compliance, including maintaining its student disciplinary board and academic department structures.
A Coordinated Political Strategy
Analysts believe this marks a broader strategy to shift the policies and culture within elite institutions. By using funding as leverage, the Trump administration appears determined to influence university governance nationwide. Columbia, according to observers like Reinhold Martin, is simply the first in a longer plan already in motion.
