Anti-Israel protesters at Columbia were arrested after chaos erupted at the university's commencement last month. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
"Accreditors have an enormous public responsibility as gatekeepers of federal student aid. They determine which institutions are eligible for federal student loans and Pell Grants. Just as the Department of Education has an obligation to uphold federal antidiscrimination law, university accreditors have an obligation to ensure member institutions abide by their standards," Education Secretary Linda McMahon said. "We look forward to the Commission keeping the Department fully informed of actions taken to ensure Columbia’s compliance with accreditation standards, including compliance with federal civil rights laws."
After launching an investigation into Columbia in February, the Trump administration opted to cancel $400 million in federal grants over the university's "failure to protect Jewish students from antisemitic harassment."
Subsequently, Columbia agreed to make changes in an effort to prevent the funds from being canceled. The school took steps to overhaul its policies around protests, safety and security, while also reorganizing its Middle Eastern studies department. The changes also included adopting a new campus-wide definition of antisemitism.
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LAYS OFF AROUND 180 STAFF AFTER TRUMP ADMINISTRATION REVOKES GRANTS
Anti-Israel demonstrators inside Butler Library on the campus of Columbia University, May 7, 2025. The protesters were subsequently arrested by NYPD. (Sam Nahins)
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"In the coming weeks and months, we will need to continue to take actions that preserve our financial flexibility and allow us to invest in areas that drive us forward," Shipman continued. "This is a deeply challenging time across all higher education, and we are attempting to navigate through tremendous ambiguity with precision, which will be imperfect at times."
Fox News Digital reached out to Columbia for comment, but did not receive a response by publication deadline.
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