Columbia University has agreed to implement strict measures against pro-Palestine protests on its campus after the U.S. government withheld $400 million in federal funding over allegations of anti-Semitism.
Earlier this month, the government cut the university’s grants and contracts, citing its failure to address widespread student demonstrations against Israel’s military actions in Gaza. With an extended deadline approaching on Friday, Columbia released a memo detailing its agreement to meet the administration’s demands in exchange for the reinstatement of funds.
The measures include banning face masks at protests, significantly restricting demonstrations, and granting security officers more power to remove or arrest individuals. In a controversial move, the university also agreed to allow U.S. authorities to oversee its Middle East studies programs and related departments.
A newly appointed official will now oversee curriculum changes, hiring decisions for non-tenured faculty, and a review of academic programs related to the Middle East, including the Center for Palestine Studies and the Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies.
It remains unclear whether the federal funds will be restored, as the White House has yet to respond to Columbia’s compliance. The decision has sparked concerns among other universities, as at least 60 institutions face similar government warnings over pro-Palestine activism on their campuses.