Columbia Faculty Members Outraged by School’s Settlement With Trump Admin
“We’re terrified that this is just the beginning of further demands.”
Oh well. At least they still have their jobs… for now.
Campus Reform reports:
Columbia faculty enraged by settlement with Trump administration
Columbia University is facing growing backlash from faculty and alumni after agreeing to a $200 million settlement with the Trump administration, a move critics say weakens academic standards and gives into political pressure.
The deal follows a months-long standoff that began when the federal government froze around $400 million in research funding.
Officials cited potential civil rights violations, including antisemitism tied to recent campus protests. In exchange for restoring federal support, including major grants from NIH and other agencies, Columbia agreed to pay $200 million to the U.S. Treasury over three years and an additional $21 million to Jewish staff who said they faced discrimination.
While the settlement does not impose any admission of guilt, Columbia leadership conceded the need for reform in a letter to faculty and students. Interim President Claire Shipman defended the agreement, saying it was necessary to protect the university’s core functions and emphasized that “the federal government will not dictate what we teach, who teaches, or which students we admit.”
As part of the agreement, Columbia will enhance oversight of departments flagged in federal complaints, including implementing external reviews and refining protest policies to maintain campus order.
The university will not allow “diversity narratives” as “justification for discriminatory practices.” The university also pledges to discipline disruptive protestors.
The agreement introduces an internal review of Middle Eastern studies programs to ensure “offerings are comprehensive and balanced,” providing recommendations that will “ensure academic excellence.”
Some faculty remain critical of the deal. “There’s a lot of fear,” one faculty member told The Columbia Daily Spectator, describing the atmosphere among colleagues.
“There’s a tremendous amount of disappointment and anger,” wrote Anya Schiffrin, senior lecturer at the School of International and Public Affairs. “We’re terrified that this is just the beginning of further demands.”
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Comments
I’d wager that the complaining faculty are not as terrified as the Jewish students who had to hide themselves during the Hamas takeover of the university.
Spot on.
Terrified is such an emotive word. What are the faculty really afraid of that they might be scrutinized for their bias and propaganda, their bigotry ?
They’re snowflakes. They “feel threatened” every time someone tells them what babies they are.
Pray he doesn’t alter the deal
Just how educated are these people? do they have any common sense? they should just quit in protest and get a job in the private sector.
I have a suggestion for the complaining faculty. Leave. Just leave. I’m sure you’ll be able to find gainful employment at:
Hamas college of bullies and bombs
Wakanda U
South African University of Kill the Whites
Congo College of Miserable Disease and Death
And other similar famous institutions of survival that better fit your skill sit and politics
“There’s a lot of fear… We’re terrified that this is just the beginning of further demands.”
Good. Be very, very afraid.
Even if nothing else ever happens, that’s the way we want you to stay.
“Faculty Members” ? So basically employees? So the employees are mad at administration? Well welcome to just about any modern job for any modern company, glad to see you made it.
To the faculty of Columbia University:
Be afraid. Be very, very afraid.