Katrina Armstrong, interim president of Columbia University, has resigned following criticisms related to how the institution handles protests and antisemitism. Trump threatened to withhold $400 million in federal funding unless the university complied with certain demands. Claire Shipman has assumed the role of acting president. These developments stem from political pressures affecting several universities.

Columbia University has announced the resignation of its interim president, Katrina Armstrong, just a week after the institution acquiesced to demands from the Trump administration. Armstrong had been serving since August, taking over after the previous president’s resignation, which followed criticism over her management of protests concerning Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

The university has faced substantial backlash from former President Trump, who accused it, along with other schools, of enabling antisemitic behavior and harassment toward Jewish students. He threatened to withhold approximately $400 million in federal funding due to these concerns.

In a statement, Columbia confirmed that Ms. Armstrong will revert to her previous position as leader of the medical center, with Claire Shipman, Co-Chair of the Board of Trustees, stepping in as acting president. David J. Greenwald, chair of the university’s board, praised Armstrong for her efforts during a tumultuous period.

Mrs. Shipman acknowledged the significant challenges facing the university and committed to acting urgently in advancing its mission and enacting necessary reforms while safeguarding student rights and academic freedom. She has stated that a review of the university’s leadership will be conducted following the appointment of a new permanent president.

Recently, Columbia yielded to multiple demands from the Trump administration, such as prohibiting the use of face masks at protests and altering the oversight of certain academic programs in response to threats of reduced federal funding. The reinstatement of these funds remains uncertain as legal action has been initiated by faculty members contesting the cuts.

Columbia was notably a focal point for pro-Palestinian demonstrations on university campuses last year, stemming from the conflict in Gaza and U.S. support for Israel. The Trump administration has also cautioned 60 other universities about potential funding cuts related to antisemitism allegations.

The resignations and funding crises have unfolded alongside a high-profile immigration case involving Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia graduate and activist, who was arrested by federal authorities this month. Khalil, a legal permanent resident, faces deportation for participating in campus protests, with the Trump administration alleging ties to Hamas, labeled as a terrorist organization in the U.S. His attorneys assert that he was merely exercising his right to free speech in advocating for Palestinian rights, condemning the government’s actions as suppression of student activism.

This article outlines the recent developments at Columbia University, highlighting the resignation of interim president Katrina Armstrong amid pressures from the Trump administration. The university’s compliance with various demands in exchange for federal funding has intensified scrutiny and revealed significant challenges concerning academic freedom and student rights. The broader implications of this situation underscore the ongoing tensions between political actions and academic institutions.

Original Source: www.bbc.com

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