Publish: 12:25, 15 Mar, 2025

Trump demands unprecedented control at Columbia, alarming scholars

Online Desk
Trump demands unprecedented control at Columbia, alarming scholars
AP Photo

The Trump administration brushed aside decades of precedent when it ordered Columbia University to oust the leadership of an academic department, a demand seen as a direct attack on academic freedom and a warning of what’s to come for other colleges facing federal scrutiny.

Federal officials told the university it must immediately place its Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies Department under “academic receivership for a minimum of five years.” The demand was among several described as conditions for receiving federal funding, including $400 million already pulled over allegations of antisemitism.

Across academia, it was seen as a stunning intrusion.

“It’s an escalation of a kind that is unheard of,” said Joan Scott, a historian and member of the academic freedom committee of the American Association of University Professors. “Even during the McCarthy period in the United States, this was not done.”

President Donald Trump has been threatening to withhold federal funding from colleges that do not get in line with his agenda, from transgender athletes’ participating in women’s sports to diversity, equity and inclusion programs. On Friday, his administration announced investigations into 52 universities as part of his DEI crackdown.

But he has held particular fervor for Columbia, the Ivy League campus where a massive pro-Palestinian protest movement began with a tent encampment last spring. Officials continued to ratchet up pressure on the school Friday, with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche saying the Justice Department is investigating whether it hid students sought by the U.S. over their roles in the demonstrations.

Trump and other officials have accused the protesters as being “pro-Hamas,” referring to the militant group that attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

The letter also demands that Columbia ban masks on campus meant to conceal the wearer’s identity “or intimidate others,” adopt a new definition of antisemitism, abolish its current process for disciplining students and deliver a plan to ”reform undergraduate admissions, international recruiting, and graduate admissions practices.”

The letter “obliterates the boundary between institutional autonomy and federal control,” said Ted Mitchell, president of the American Council on Education.

For generations, the federal government has given colleges space to manage their own affairs, within the constraints of federal law. The Supreme Court has long treated academic freedom as an extension of the First Amendment. Higher education leaders say autonomy is what sets America’s colleges apart and makes them a destination for top international scholars.

Trump has never hidden his contempt for the country’s most prestigious colleges, and he’s aggressively pressing his will. The federal government has almost never used its authority to cut off money from schools and colleges. But along with the initial action at Columbia, a Trump administration letter sent Monday to 60 colleges promised that penalty if they fail to make their campuses safer for Jewish students.

Still, few predicted the Trump administration would pursue the type of control it’s demanding at Columbia.

Putting an academic department under receivership is “beyond the authority of the federal government and would violate academic freedom and the First Amendment,” said Erwin Chemerinsky, a constitutional law scholar and dean of the Berkeley School of Law.

“It is chilling to see the government try to control universities in this way,” he said.

Academic receivership is a rarely used practice that puts an academic department under the oversight of a professor or administrator outside the department. It’s sometimes used to reset a department in financial or political turmoil.

The letter didn’t specify who should take control of the department at Columbia. Scott, of the AAUP, said the department appeared to be singled out because it was viewed as being overly critical of Israel.

“Receivership is a nice way of basically saying get rid of the department,” Scott said.

The Trump administration announced last week it was pulling $400 million in contracts from Columbia and reviewing another $5 billion in grants over complaints of antisemitism. The cuts have already affected research studies at Columbia’s medical center, which has long relied on grants from the National Institutes of Health.

U.S. government agencies said they made the cuts because of the school’s “continued inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students.” Some Jewish groups and the president’s supporters have argued the government should be free to condition funding to colleges as it does other entities.

The university said it’s reviewing the Trump administration’s letter. “We are committed at all times to advancing our mission, supporting our students, and addressing all forms of discrimination and hatred on our campus,” it said in a statement.

Meanwhile, it’s leaving college leaders across the U.S. on edge. Mitchell, of the American Council on Education, said college presidents he spoke with were aghast at the letter.

“It doesn’t matter whether they’re in red states or blue states or whether they’re religious institutions or sectarian institutions. This is not the government’s role,” he said.

The letter was condemned by some faculty members and free speech groups.

“Half of this stuff you can’t just do and the other half is insane,” said Joseph Howley, a Columbia professor of classics. “If the federal government can show up and demand a university department be shut down or restructured, then we don’t have universities in this country.”

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression called it “a blueprint to supercharge censorship” at colleges.

“Our colleges need to protect free expression and comply with anti-discrimination laws, but important civil rights investigations cannot be resolved by ad hoc directives from the government,” said Tyler Coward, the group’s lead counsel for government affairs.

Source: AP

bd-pratidin/Rafid

More News
Trump says Islamic state's leader eliminated in Iraq
Trump says Islamic state's leader eliminated in Iraq
Baloch militants claim they escaped with 214 hostages
Baloch militants claim they escaped with 214 hostages
US imposes visa bans on Thai officials
US imposes visa bans on Thai officials
Trump clarifies his 24-hour Russia-Ukraine war promise as being 'Sarcastic'
Trump clarifies his 24-hour Russia-Ukraine war promise as being 'Sarcastic'
Trump signs decree on cuts to structure in charge of foreign policy outreach
Trump signs decree on cuts to structure in charge of foreign policy outreach
4 killed in Thailand crane collapse
4 killed in Thailand crane collapse
Pakistan, Bhutan among 41 countries in Trump's potential travel ban list
Pakistan, Bhutan among 41 countries in Trump's potential travel ban list
Talks of Canada becoming 51st US state is 'crazy': New PM Carney
Talks of Canada becoming 51st US state is 'crazy': New PM Carney
US bars South African envoy from entering the country
US bars South African envoy from entering the country
EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal conclusion
EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal conclusion
Ukraine sees Turkiye as key security partner, trade ally
Ukraine sees Turkiye as key security partner, trade ally
Russia, China urge lifting sanctions from Iran
Russia, China urge lifting sanctions from Iran
Latest News
China's Ecarx in talks with VW to develop smart cars for Europe, US, CEO says
China's Ecarx in talks with VW to develop smart cars for Europe, US, CEO says
just now | Business
3 held with fake notes worth Tk 20 lakh in Kamrangirchar, N’ganj
3 held with fake notes worth Tk 20 lakh in Kamrangirchar, N’ganj
6 minutes ago | National
Musk says Starship to depart for Mars at end of 2026
Musk says Starship to depart for Mars at end of 2026
9 minutes ago | Tech
Trump says Islamic state's leader eliminated in Iraq
Trump says Islamic state's leader eliminated in Iraq
10 minutes ago | International
26,250 tonnes of rice arrive at Ctg port from Pakistan
26,250 tonnes of rice arrive at Ctg port from Pakistan
21 minutes ago | Business
Baloch militants claim they escaped with 214 hostages
Baloch militants claim they escaped with 214 hostages
27 minutes ago | International
South Africa captain Wolvaardt calls for more women's Tests
South Africa captain Wolvaardt calls for more women's Tests
27 minutes ago | Sports
US imposes visa bans on Thai officials
US imposes visa bans on Thai officials
29 minutes ago | International
China unveils 100-year nuclear battery with revolutionary applications
China unveils 100-year nuclear battery with revolutionary applications
47 minutes ago | Tech
10-year-old sets record by memorizing 280 digits of Pi in one minute
10-year-old sets record by memorizing 280 digits of Pi in one minute
58 minutes ago | Lifestyle
Nayanthara calls 'Test', a story of love, resilience, and hope
Nayanthara calls 'Test', a story of love, resilience, and hope
59 minutes ago | Entertainment
Trump clarifies his 24-hour Russia-Ukraine war promise as being 'Sarcastic'
Trump clarifies his 24-hour Russia-Ukraine war promise as being 'Sarcastic'
59 minutes ago | International
Trump signs decree on cuts to structure in charge of foreign policy outreach
Trump signs decree on cuts to structure in charge of foreign policy outreach
1 hour ago | International
Abrar Fahad murder case: HC verdict on Sunday
Abrar Fahad murder case: HC verdict on Sunday
1 hour ago | National
Overeating regularly can lead to infertility
Overeating regularly can lead to infertility
1 hour ago | Lifestyle
Rains, thundershowers likely in parts of country in 5 days
Rains, thundershowers likely in parts of country in 5 days
1 hour ago | National
BCL 3rd round kicks off tomorrow
BCL 3rd round kicks off tomorrow
1 hour ago | Sports
New movies, shows, music, and games to stream this week
New movies, shows, music, and games to stream this week
1 hour ago | Entertainment
4 killed in Thailand crane collapse
4 killed in Thailand crane collapse
1 hour ago | International
Where do asteroids come from?
Where do asteroids come from?
1 hour ago | Tech
2.26 crore children to get Vitamin A Plus capsules
2.26 crore children to get Vitamin A Plus capsules
1 hour ago | National
Trump demands unprecedented control at Columbia, alarming scholars
Trump demands unprecedented control at Columbia, alarming scholars
1 hour ago | International
Google to replace Google Assistant with Gemini
Google to replace Google Assistant with Gemini
1 hour ago | Tech
UN Secretary-General inaugurates UN House
UN Secretary-General inaugurates UN House
2 hours ago | National
Trade through Hili land port halted for India’s Holi festival
Trade through Hili land port halted for India’s Holi festival
2 hours ago | Business
Bangladesh Pratidin marks 15 years of fearless journalism
Bangladesh Pratidin marks 15 years of fearless journalism
2 hours ago | National
Injured Neymar to miss World Cup qualifier against Argentina
Injured Neymar to miss World Cup qualifier against Argentina
2 hours ago | Sports
Pakistan, Bhutan among 41 countries in Trump's potential travel ban list
Pakistan, Bhutan among 41 countries in Trump's potential travel ban list
2 hours ago | International
Talks of Canada becoming 51st US state is 'crazy': New PM Carney
Talks of Canada becoming 51st US state is 'crazy': New PM Carney
2 hours ago | International
US bars South African envoy from entering the country
US bars South African envoy from entering the country
2 hours ago | International
Most Read
Shaikh Juwel now Bidhan Mallik!
Shaikh Juwel now Bidhan Mallik!
4 hours ago | Special
UN Secretary-General inaugurates UN House
UN Secretary-General inaugurates UN House
2 hours ago | National
CA, UN chief take iftar with 100,000 Rohingyas in Ukhiya
CA, UN chief take iftar with 100,000 Rohingyas in Ukhiya
18 hours ago | National
Mild heat wave sweeps over parts of country
Mild heat wave sweeps over parts of country
23 hours ago | National
Fahim backs new generation
Fahim backs new generation
17 hours ago | Sports
Bangladesh Pratidin marks 15 years of fearless journalism
Bangladesh Pratidin marks 15 years of fearless journalism
2 hours ago | National
Advance rail tickets for 25 March available today
Advance rail tickets for 25 March available today
3 hours ago | National
Nationwide Vitamin A campaign starts Saturday
Nationwide Vitamin A campaign starts Saturday
18 hours ago | National
Abrar Fahad murder case: HC verdict on Sunday
Abrar Fahad murder case: HC verdict on Sunday
1 hour ago | National
We are lucky enough as we have sea: CA
We are lucky enough as we have sea: CA
20 hours ago | National
Dhaka’s air ‘unhealthy for sensitive group’ Saturday morning
Dhaka’s air ‘unhealthy for sensitive group’ Saturday morning
4 hours ago | City
Australia announces spending to boost metals industry
Australia announces spending to boost metals industry
23 hours ago | Business
Govt Moves to Tackle Delays in Legal Trials: Law Adviser
Govt Moves to Tackle Delays in Legal Trials: Law Adviser
17 hours ago | National
Bangladeshi expat shot dead in South Africa
Bangladeshi expat shot dead in South Africa
6 hours ago | National
Aamir introduces partner Gauri, opens up about marriage plans
Aamir introduces partner Gauri, opens up about marriage plans
23 hours ago | Entertainment
Israeli govt ‘playing with the lives of our loved ones’
Israeli govt ‘playing with the lives of our loved ones’
22 hours ago | International
Google to replace Google Assistant with Gemini
Google to replace Google Assistant with Gemini
1 hour ago | Tech
2.26 crore children to get Vitamin A Plus capsules
2.26 crore children to get Vitamin A Plus capsules
1 hour ago | National
Guterres promises to ensure funds for Rohingya humanitarian aid
Guterres promises to ensure funds for Rohingya humanitarian aid
20 hours ago | National
WFP to cut food aid to 1 million people in Myanmar
WFP to cut food aid to 1 million people in Myanmar
22 hours ago | International
Polli Kobi Jasimuddin’s 49th death anniversary today
Polli Kobi Jasimuddin’s 49th death anniversary today
21 hours ago | Entertainment
Trade through Hili land port halted for India’s Holi festival
Trade through Hili land port halted for India’s Holi festival
2 hours ago | Business
CA inaugurates Cox's Bazar Airport project
CA inaugurates Cox's Bazar Airport project
21 hours ago | National
Four popular actresses team up for ‘Ityadi’
Four popular actresses team up for ‘Ityadi’
2 hours ago | Entertainment
UN chief Guterres reaches Rohingya camp in Cox’s Bazar
UN chief Guterres reaches Rohingya camp in Cox’s Bazar
23 hours ago | National
Bashir vows to distribute TCB cards to 1cr beneficiaries' over 6 months
Bashir vows to distribute TCB cards to 1cr beneficiaries' over 6 months
21 hours ago | Business
Afghanistan to host Bangladesh for white-ball Series
Afghanistan to host Bangladesh for white-ball Series
21 hours ago | Sports
Mahmoud Khalil felt he was being kidnapped as detention unfolded
Mahmoud Khalil felt he was being kidnapped as detention unfolded
20 hours ago | International
31 dead in Ethiopia cholera outbreak: MSF
31 dead in Ethiopia cholera outbreak: MSF
21 hours ago | International
Ukraine sees Turkiye as key security partner, trade ally
Ukraine sees Turkiye as key security partner, trade ally
5 hours ago | International