Dr. Katrina Armstrong
The task force described the cuts as a consequence of Columbia's "continued inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students" and warned that this represents only the "first round of action," with "additional cancellations" to follow.
This announcement comes just four days after the task force revealed it would consider stop work orders for $51.4 million in contracts between Columbia and the federal government and conduct a "comprehensive review" of more than $5 billion in federal grant commitments to the institution.
In her communication to the Columbia community, Armstrong acknowledged that the cuts would have an immediate impact on research and critical university functions, affecting "students, faculty, staff, research, and patient care." Federal funding constituted approximately $1.3 billion of Columbia's annual operating revenue in the 2024 fiscal year.
"There is no question that the cancellation of these funds will immediately impact research and other critical functions of the University," Armstrong wrote in en email to the campus community, while emphasizing that Columbia's mission as "a great research university does not waver."
The situation at Columbia highlights the increasing tensions between academic institutions and the Trump administration, particularly regarding how universities respond to claims of antisemitism on campus. Since October 2023, Columbia has been at the center of pro-Palestinian student protests, drawing federal scrutiny, especially from the Trump administration.
President Trump recently stated on Truth Social that "All Federal Funding will STOP for any College, School, or University that allows illegal protests."
