Table of Contents
Columbia caves to feds — and sets a dangerous precedent

Here Now / Shutterstock.com
Pro-Palestinian protesters on the Columbia University campus on Jan. 19, 2024.
Today Columbia University announced policies to address government demands after the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Education, and the U.S. General Services Administration canceled $400 million in federal grants and contracts, alleging an anti-Semitic hostile environment at the school. The following statement can be attributed to FIRELead Counsel Tyler Coward.
The federal government abandoned its existing process to brow-beat Columbia — and Columbia folded.
Higher education reform shouldn’t resemble a shakedown. Colleges and universities shouldn’t be bullied into accepting speech-restrictive demands because the government dangles a $400 million check over an institution’s head. Any changes made as a result of this flawed process are inherently suspect.
FIRE is looking into the steps Columbia in response to government demands, and their implications for free speech and academic freedom. But one stands out instantly: Columbia crafted its own of anti-Semitism that is vague and sweeping enough that it will imperil speech otherwise protected by the First Amendment.
The federal government shouldn’t pressure any college, private or public, to censor speech critical of any country.
Shaking under government pressure, Columbia crumbled. If Columbia — with its immense resources and influence — can’t stand up to government demands that threaten free speech, what are other colleges to do?
Behavior that gets rewarded gets repeated. Free speech and academic freedom are worth fighting for. FIREwill stand with any institution willing to stand up for itself.
Recent Articles
FIRE’s award-winning Newsdesk covers the free speech news you need to stay informed.

AI is new — the laws that govern it don’t have to be

Defending free speech: FIREand Substack partner to protect writers in America

Brown University targets student journalist for sending DOGE-like emails
