Columbia caves to feds — and sets a dangerous precedent

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 FIRE Lead 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 pledged to take in response to government demands, and their implications for free speech and academic freedom. But one stands out instantly: Columbia crafted its own definition 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. FIRE will stand with any institution willing to stand up for itself.