Columbia Gives in to Trump s Demands. University to Ban Masks, Empower Campus Police and Rein in Controversial Academic Department – WSJ

Columbia University will cede to President Trump s far-reaching demands in negotiations over $400 million in federal funding he revoked this month, according to a memo from the school to the administration. 

Columbia agreed to ban masks, empower 36 campus police officers with new powers to arrest students and appoint a senior vice provost with broad authority to oversee the department of Middle East, South Asian and African Studies as well as the Center for Palestine Studies. 

Control of the Middle East department has been a central dispute in negotiations and sparks controversy across campus. Faculty at Columbia and nationwide are expressing deep reservations about letting the federal government dictate how they can operate an academic department. The new vice provost, appointed by Columbia, will review curriculum, nontenure faculty hiring and leadership to ensure the educational offerings are comprehensive and balanced.

via www.wsj.com

Obvious First Amendment problems, it looks like. Of course this would not have been a problem if Columbia had not invited Hamas to matriculate.