Trump Administration Moves to Revoke Columbia University’s Accreditation
The Trump administration is setting its sights on Columbia University, seeking to revoke its accreditation based on allegations that the institution violated the civil rights of Jewish students. In a letter addressed to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Education Secretary Linda McMahon accused the university of exhibiting “deliberate indifference” towards harassment faced by Jewish students, which purportedly breaches federal anti-discrimination statutes.
Concerns Over Campus Safety
President Donald Trump has expressed strong disapproval of Columbia, along with other academic institutions across the United States, asserting that they have failed in their duty to safeguard Jewish students amid ongoing conflicts in Gaza and related anti-war demonstrations at U.S. campuses. This criticism comes at a time when the administration is intensifying its scrutiny of universities’ compliance with federal regulations regarding discrimination.
| Institution | Federal Funding Affected | Accreditation Status |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia University | $400 million | Under Review |
| Harvard University | Pending | Under Legal Scrutiny |
Impact on Accreditation
McMahon’s correspondence outlines that Columbia’s actions potentially contravene the standards set by the accreditation body that supervises the university. According to her, Columbia’s leadership failed to provide adequate protections for Jewish students who reportedly suffered severe and pervasive harassment, effectively limiting their equal access to educational opportunities as mandated by law.
The Middle States Commission plays a critical role in determining which universities are allowed access to substantial federal funding, a factor that weighs heavily in higher education. McMahon emphasized the crucial responsibility of accreditors as “gatekeepers” of federal student aid, therefore putting increased pressure on institutions to comply with federal guidelines.
Ongoing Controversies in Higher Education
This development is part of a broader trend in the Trump administration’s approach towards higher education, which has included recent changes to the accreditation process itself. Earlier this year, the administration cut Columbia University’s federal funding by $400 million, citing antisemitism on campus as a primary justification. In response, Columbia implemented several policy changes aimed at addressing the administration’s concerns, including a restructuring of its Middle Eastern studies department, although these steps appear to have fallen short in appeasing Trump’s administration.
The administration’s actions against Columbia have also raised alarms among other universities, with Harvard University being another institution under scrutiny. Harvard is currently involved in extensive legal battles with the Trump administration concerning its funding and the restrictions on enrolling international students.
McMahon’s recent letter suggests that other universities may similarly find their accreditation status in jeopardy if noncompliance findings arise. “The Department has an obligation to promptly provide accreditors with any noncompliance findings related to member institutions,” she stated, indicating a potentially wider net of scrutiny on U.S. universities.
