Resigned by Columbia University president after Trump’s pressures for changes
The provisional president of Columbia University resigned only one week after the academic institution agreed to change several policies to meet the demands of the Trump government.
Katrina Armstrong had led the University since August, following the resignation of the previous president because of her handling of protests against Israel’s military operation in Gaza.
The ‘annoyed’ Trump and the new chief of Columbia
Columbia has caused the rage of Donald Trump, who claims that this and other universities have tolerated anti -Semitism and harassment of Jewish students.
Trump has already threatened to withhold about $ 400 million in funding for the school, as his government continues to target university by persecution of those involved in campus protests, as he says BBC post.
Katrina Armstrong will return to her previous role as the head of Columbia’s medical center, the university said in a statement on Friday. It will be replaced by the co -chair of the Board of Directors Claire Sipman, who, according to the school, will carry out the debt of president.
« Dr. Armstrong has accepted the role of the temporary president in a period of great uncertainty for the university and worked tirelessly to promote the interests of our community, » David Jay Greenwwol Treasury said in a statement.
In the university’s announcement, Sipman wrote: « I take on this role with a clear understanding of the serious challenges we have in front of us. »
He said he would « urgently act » to promote the mission of the School and to implement the « necessary reforms », along with the protection of its students and the protection of « academic freedom ».
Ms Shipman, a journalist who has previously worked on various US media, added that as soon as the new permanent president was selected, she will oversee the re -examination of the university’s leadership « to ensure that we are in a better position for the future ».
Government is hitting universities
Last week, Columbia agreed on various demands by the Trump administration, including a ban on personal masks in demonstrations and changing the supervision of certain academic programs, after the administration said it intends to withhold millions.
It is not clear whether the funds will be restored, although a lawsuit was filed by some members of the school’s teaching staff for cuts.
It is not only Columbia facing funding cuts, the Trump government has warned 60 universities that funding can be canceled unless the allegations of anti -Semitism in universities are addressed.
Earlier this month, the Minister of Education announced that it was withdrawing federal funding due to « relentless violence, bullying and anti -Semitic harassment » « ignored » by university authorities.
All this happens after the arrest of Mahmoud Halil, a graduate of Columbia and a campus activist. He was arrested by federal migratory authorities earlier this month.
Protesters gather on the day of the hearing for the detention of Palestinian activist and postgraduate student at Columbia University, Mahmoud Halil in New York. Reuters/Eduardo Munoz
Halil, a legal permanent resident of the United States, is facing deportation for his role in demonstrations on the campus of 2024.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly argued that Halil, and other Philopalaistine activists, support Hamas, a group that has been described as a US terrorist organization.
The 30 -year -old’s lawyers say he exercised the right to freedom of speech to protest the Palestinians in Gaza and against US support for Israel. They accused the government of « open suppression of student activism and political discourse ».
Source: In
