In a statement posted to the school’s website on Tuesday, signed by acting President Claire Shipman, the school administration said it would need to “take actions that preserve our financial flexibility and allow us to invest in areas that drive us forward.” The staff departure is in direct response to the withdrawal of over 300 multi-year awards for federally funded research.
“Moving forward, we will be running lighter footprints of research infrastructure in some areas and, in others, maintaining a level of research continuity as we pursue alternate funding sources. In some cases, schools and departments are winding down activity but remain prepared to reestablish capabilities if support is restored,” the statement read.
“Across the research portfolio we have had to make difficult choices and unfortunately, today, nearly 180 of our colleagues who have been working, in whole or in part, on impacted federal grants, will receive notices of non-renewal or termination. This represents about 20% of the individuals who are funded in some manner by the terminated grants,” it added.
The school also announced the creation of a “Research Stabilization Fund,” which would support researchers who need alternate funding sources due to federal grant cuts.
The statement said the university would keep most salaries at their current levels without any raises for the next fiscal year. It also announced a voluntary retirement incentive program, the details of which will be revealed next week.
The administrators also assured students that negotiations to restore federal funding are ongoing with the federal government.
Columbia is just one of several major schools targeted by the Trump administration. In a Monday letter, Education Secretary Linda McMahon informed Harvard University that it was no longer eligible for federal grants due to law violations.
COLUMBIA TALKS TOUGHER AFTER HARVARD REJECTS WHITE HOUSE DEMANDS
The Trump administration set its sights on universities across the country over concerns with diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and pro-Palestinian protests. The latter has been the casus belli for major legal actions against universities such as Columbia and Harvard, including stripping federal funding.
Columbia has largely sought a conciliatory tone with the Trump administration, acquiescing to many of its demands in March. After a hard-line stance from Harvard, however, it began to take a tougher stance.
