by Columbia University has announced it will lay off approximately 180 staff members following the Trump administration’s decision to cancel $400 million in federal grants due to the university’s handling of antisemitic harassment on campus. This move comes after a March 2025 announcement by federal agencies, including the Department of Justice, Health and Human Services, and Education, which cited the university’s failure to protect Jewish students.
In a statement, acting President Claire Shipman shared the university’s difficult decision, explaining that nearly 20% of the affected staff were connected to the impacted federal grants. “Today, nearly 180 of our colleagues, who have worked on federal grants in some capacity, will be receiving notices of non-renewal or termination,” Shipman said. “This is a deeply challenging time, and while we continue to navigate these unprecedented circumstances, we must make decisions that preserve our financial flexibility.”
The university had previously reported the loss of $400 million in critical funding from federal agencies due to what they called “continued inaction in addressing antisemitic harassment.” This decision has far-reaching consequences for the university’s research, faculty, staff, and student resources.
In an effort to regain the lost funding, Columbia University made several concessions in April, including banning face masks to conceal identities during protests, enhancing campus police powers, and appointing a senior vice provost to oversee controversial departments, such as the Department of Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies, and the Center for Palestine Studies.
However, as of now, Columbia is still in discussions with federal officials to restore some of the grants and funding, with plans to focus on areas that could help steer the institution forward. “We are exploring every possible avenue to resume activity on research grants and other awards,” Shipman emphasized.
As part of this financial restructuring, the university is prioritizing long-term sustainability while managing uncertainty surrounding future federal funding and proposed reductions in financial support for research activities. Shipman acknowledged the difficulty of these choices, stating, “These decisions will undoubtedly affect our community, and we understand the hardship they bring.”
This situation highlights the ongoing debate over academic freedom, campus protests, and the balance between university governance and federal oversight.
