The Fall of Columbia
Columbia University has unraveled into a mere shell of its once distinguished self. In two years, an institution once looked upon as a beacon of intellect and higher education has transformed into a hive riddled with extremism, antisemitism and support for U.S.-designated terrorist organizations.
While students have become the face of the chaos seen on campus, the beating heart is pumped by Columbia’s faculty. They have created a destructive ripple effect that begins with the inaction of Columbia’s administrative leadership and passes through to the professors promoting extremist ideologies in the classroom and at the rallies. The end result has been a campus torn in half by division, hatred and fear.
The actions and intentions of these faculty members cannot be excused under the protection of academic freedom. Professional ethics have been breached on multiple levels.
The time for change is now
President Trump’s Executive Order
The continuing rise of antisemitism and terror support at Columbia University is by no means a passing trend. The dire seriousness of the issue was brought to public awareness on January 20, 2025, when President Donald Trump issued an executive order titled, “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats. “
Trump’s new executive order has empowered and enabled the federal government to take action against extremists. In the case that an offending student or faculty member is green card or visa holder, they can be identified and deported for supporting U.S.-designated terrorist organizations or cause chaos on campus.
The Consequences of Columbia’s Failure to Act
Columbia’s complete inaction in the face of antisemitism, assaults and property damage, has come with hefty costs. In March 2025, following an investigation by the Federal Antisemitism Task Force, multiple Government agencies cancelled $430 million in grants and contracts to Columbia University.
Today, the prospect of reclaiming Columbia’s reputation as a trusted and respected academic institute lies solely in the hands of its leadership and the actions, they implement against the very individuals compromising its integrity.
Nadia Abu-El-Haj
Ann Whitney Olin Professor in the Departments of Anthropology and Co-Director of the Center for Palestine Studies
Mohamed Abdou
Visiting professor in modern Arab studies at Columbia’s Middle East Institute (MEI)
Joseph Slaughter
Associate Professor of English and Comparative Literature and Executive Director of the Institute for the Study of Human Rights
Media Gallery
Rise of Antisemitism on Campus
Since October 7, 2023, the rise of antisemitism at Columbia has been alarming. Based on the testimonies of over 500 Jewish students, the university’s antisemitism task force reported hundreds of detailed incidents of Jewish students being spat on, shoved, pinned against walls, stalked and at times even assaulted. These disturbing incidents coincide with hate rallies where chanting for Jewish ethnic cleansing is a norm.
Vandalism
Antisemitic and terror worship scribbles and tags have become a common site through the halls and in the quad at Columbia. Among the more prominently featured projections of hate are swastikas, homages to Hamas and Sinwar, Intifada and other calls for the ethnic cleansing of Jews and phrases like, “Death to Zionists.”
Disruption of Education
For the past two years, disruption and disorder has become common place at Columbia. From the illegal encampment that served as a hot bed for extremist rhetoric and Hamas ideology, to the occupation of Hamilton Hall in April 2024. Both extremist students and faculty members have interrupted classes to harass Jewish students and hand out Hamas propaganda and have occupied buildings in Barnard College. Not only has it created a dangerous atmosphere on campus, but it has put a vice on the education of normal students.
Administrative Inaction
Katrina Armstrong, the President of Columbia University, as well as other faculty members have done the bare minimum in terms of disciplinary action. Their meek approach to the extremist on campus has only fueled their destructive behavior. With every boundary broken, President Armstrong releases a statement stacked with empty promises but takes no action. She has even gone as far as to safeguard extremist students on visas, shield them from justice despite their antisemitic remarks and glorification of terror.
Federal Investigation and Lawsuits
A Title VI investigation by the U.S. Department of Education and a lawsuit filed by Jewish students have brought to light Columbia Universitys systemic failure to protect its community. Disturbing incidents, such as physical assaults on Jewish students, the defacement of property with swastikas, and verbal threats, underscore a longstanding issue of antisemitism that has been overlooked by university leadership. Since October 7, 2023, these challenges have intensified, with numerous reports of harassment, intimidation, and violence targeting Jewish students, further highlighting the need for immediate action and accountability.
Campus Safety
Columbia University’s tarnished reputation is now reaching beyond its donors and alumni, threatening its global standing as a premier institution. Potential international collaborations, research opportunities, and partnerships with other universities are at risk as Columbia becomes increasingly associated with intolerance and discrimination. Furthermore, ranking organizations, which are often shaped by public perception, may lower Columbia’s standing, further undermining its academic credibility and prestige.
Financial Fallout
Donor withdrawals from prominent figures such as Robert Kraft, Len Blavatnik, and Leon Cooperman, combined with the ongoing Title VI investigation by the U.S. Department of Education, threaten to significantly undermine Columbia University’s financial stability. The university has already lost $430 million in funding due to the investigation, with more potential losses looming as other donors reconsider their support. Legal costs and possible settlements related to the investigation could add millions to the university’s growing liabilities, further straining its resources and reputation.
Reputational Damage
The growing climate of hostility at Columbia University has already resulted in incidents of vandalism, harassment, and intimidation. If left unaddressed, this environment is at risk of escalating into physical violence. The unchecked spread of inflammatory rhetoric and disruptive protests has fostered an atmosphere where aggression and conflict could thrive, endangering the safety and well-being of students, faculty, and staff alike.
Academic Decline
Talented students and faculty are being driven away by the increasingly hostile environment at Columbia University, further diminishing its intellectual and cultural vibrancy. The university risks a brain drain, with the brightest minds opting for institutions that prioritize inclusivity and safety. This decline in academic and professional talent will inevitably affect the quality of education, research, and innovation at Columbia, leaving the institution struggling to regain its former prestige and standing.
Share and Spread the Word
Columbia University stands at a critical juncture. The deterioration of its campus climate is a direct consequence of systemic failures across all levels of administration. This is a call to action for all stakeholders: students, alumni, donors, and federal authorities. We must demand accountability, transparency, and decisive action to eliminate hate and restore Columbia as a beacon of safety, inclusion, and academic excellence.
If Columbia fails to act, its legacy will not be one of leadership and intellectual rigor, but of moral failure and complicity in hate.
If Columbia fails to act, its legacy will not be one of leadership and intellectual rigor, but of moral failure and complicity in hate.