Columbia University Cuts Nearly 180 Staff After Federal Grants Pulled Over Antisemitism Concerns.
Columbia University is laying off nearly 180 staff members, a direct consequence of the Trump administration’s decision to revoke $400 million in federal grants earlier this year.
The administration has accused the university of failing to protect Jewish students from antisemitic harassment, a charge Columbia strongly contests.
The cuts will hit a broad range of employees, particularly those whose roles were tied to the now-suspended federal funding. Research departments focused on infectious diseases, maternal health, and chronic illness are expected to suffer the most severe impacts.
Leadership Responds Amid Growing Tensions
Claire Shipman, Columbia’s acting president, acknowledged the gravity of the decision in a public statement this week.
“This is a painful day for our university community,” Claire Shipman said. “We are losing talented colleagues whose work has been vital not only to Columbia but to critical research benefiting the wider public.”
According to Ms. Shipman, the staff reductions represent about 20% of the employees funded by the revoked grants.
While the university has explored cost-saving measures, including administrative cutbacks and voluntary retirement options – the loss of such a significant portion of federal funding left few alternatives.
Changes to Campus Policies
In response to federal scrutiny, Columbia has revised several campus policies. New rules include tighter disciplinary procedures, a ban on face coverings during protests, enhanced campus security measures, and the appointment of a senior vice provost to oversee Middle Eastern studies programs.
Yet despite these actions, the Trump administration has not restored the university’s funding.
Legal Battle Brewing
The university’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) has filed a lawsuit challenging the government’s decision to pull the grants. The group argues the move violates academic freedom and constitutes unlawful political retaliation.
“This is not just about Columbia,” said a faculty spokesperson who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the litigation. “This is about whether universities can continue to be places of open inquiry without fear of political interference.”
Columbia’s situation mirrors actions taken by the Trump administration against other Ivy League schools, including Harvard.
Federal officials have described these measures as part of a broader effort to combat antisemitism on college campuses, a policy that has garnered both praise and sharp criticism from legal scholars and civil rights groups.
Allegations of antisemitism at Columbia University have been the subject of heated debate for years. Critics point to a series of protests and incidents in recent months that they say have created a hostile environment for Jewish students.
In response, Columbia officials have reiterated the university’s commitment to combating hate speech and harassment while protecting free expression.
The university has launched several initiatives aimed at fostering dialogue and addressing bias. These include task forces on antisemitism and Islamophobia, revised student conduct policies, and expanded support services for students who experience discrimination.
The federal government’s decision to revoke funding has sparked concerns among legal scholars and civil liberties advocates, who warn that punitive financial measures may chill academic freedom and suppress legitimate political discourse on campus.
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