Columbia University said Tuesday it would fire nearly 180 staff in response to President Trump’s decision to cancel $400 million in funding for Manhattan University’s handling of student protests against the war in Gaza.
Those who received a non-renewal or cancellation notice on Tuesday account for around 20% of employees who were fired, funded in any way by the university.
“We had to consider intentional decisions regarding the allocation of financial resources,” the university said. “These decisions will also affect our people, our biggest resource. We understand that this news is difficult.”
They said authorities are working with the Trump administration in the hopes of regaining funding, but the university said it will pull back spending due to uncertainty and budgetary burdens.
Officials said universities have reduced research, some departments have abolished activities and others have maintained some research while pursuing alternative funds.
In March, the Trump administration drew funds based on what Ivy League schools said they couldn’t contain anti-Semitism on campus during the Israel-Hamas War that began in October 2023.
Within weeks, Columbia came to a series of demands laid out by the Republican administration as a starting point for regaining funds.
Among the requirements were to overhaul the university’s student disciplinary process, prohibiting protesters on campus from wearing masks, adopting a new definition of anti-Semitism, and place a Middle Eastern research program under the supervision of a secondary occupation that speaks about curriculum and employment.
After Columbia announced the changes, U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said the university was “on the right track,” but refused to say when Columbia’s funds will recover or be restored. A spokesman for the education division did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Tuesday.
Columbia was at the forefront of US campus protests over the war last spring. Palestinian protesters set up camp in April, seized campus buildings, leading to the arrest of dozens, and sparked a wave of similar protests nationwide.
When Trump seized the White House in January, he moved quickly to cut federal money to universities that he saw as too lenient with anti-Semitism.
