Columbia University has announced that interim president Katrina Armstrong is stepping down to resume her prior position as head of Columbia University’s Irving Medical Center. This transition comes in the wake of Columbia reaching an agreement with the Trump administration to enact several policy revisions, a move necessary for the reinstatement of $400 million in governmental funding.
Armstrong expressed her gratitude for leading the university through a tumultuous period but emphasized her commitment to medicine and healing, stating that these areas are where she feels most equipped to contribute to the university’s future. Armstrong had taken over leadership in August following the resignation of the previous president, Minouche Shafik, amidst rising tensions and controversy surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict and subsequent campus unrest.
In response to the leadership void, Claire Shipman, co-chair of the university’s board, has been appointed as acting president while the search for a permanent successor continues. Under Armstrong’s guidance, Columbia navigated one of its most contentious periods, facing a significant challenge from the Trump administration. The administration had previously cut research funding from the university and its hospital, citing insufficient actions against antisemitism and failure to penalize students for participating in pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
The university, seeking to resolve the crisis, agreed to implement various policy changes. These included a review of its admissions processes, a prohibition on masked protests, restrictions on demonstrations within academic buildings, and enhanced oversight of its Middle East studies department by a senior provost tasked with evaluating its leadership and curriculum. Despite compliance, this decision drew criticism from faculty and free speech advocates such as the New York Civil Liberties Union, which warned that such measures jeopardize academic freedom and expressive liberties on campuses nationwide.
While U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon acknowledged Columbia’s progress, she has not yet confirmed the return of funding, leaving many of the university’s researchers, particularly those at the medical center, facing uncertain futures. Additionally, the Trump administration has intensified actions against noncitizens involved in pro-Palestinian protests, leading to deportation efforts against participating Columbia students.
Among those affected are Mahmoud Khalil and Yunseo Chung, both of whom are legal U.S. residents engaged in campus demonstrations and are now legally contesting their right to remain in the country. Immigration authorities have arrested Khalil and conducted searches in university-owned housing.
Claire Shipman, stepping in as acting president, brings her extensive experience as a seasoned journalist, having covered significant national and international issues through her career. In her statement, she acknowledged the formidable challenges facing the university and reiterated her dedication to working collaboratively with faculty to uphold academic freedom, implement necessary reforms, and protect student rights. She assured that once a permanent president is selected, they will undertake a comprehensive review of the university’s current leadership and organizational structure to ensure a robust strategic direction moving forward.
The new permanent president will have to adeptly balance between the current federal demands and the persistent student activism both opposed to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and in favor of preserving unrestricted speech on campus.