Columbia University Agrees To Policy Changes After Trump Freezes $400 M Funding

Last Updated:March 22, 2025, 07:48 IST

Columbia University President, in a letter, informed that students will no longer be allowed to wear masks on campus to conceal their identity.

Columbia University imposed ban on wearing masks (Credits: Getty image used for representation)

In response to President Donald Trump’s order, Columbia University, on Friday (local time), agreed to impose a mask ban and increase the powers of campus police. This comes a month after the Trump administration pulled $400 million in research grants and other funding over the university’s handling of protests against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

According to a letter published Friday by interim President Katrina Armstrong, the university will also implement a revised definition of antisemitism and promote “intellectual diversity" by increasing staff at its Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies.

Armstrong, in her letter said, “the university had worked hard to “address the legitimate concerns raised both from within and without our Columbia community, including by our regulators, with respect to the discrimination, harassment, and antisemitic acts our Jewish community has faced."

“The way Columbia and Columbians have been portrayed is hard to reckon with. We have challenges, yes, but they do not define us."

United States of America (USA)

News world Columbia University Agrees To Policy Changes After Trump Freezes $400 M Funding