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Princeton President Addresses Antisemitism and Funding Pressures in Higher Education
Christopher L. Eisgruber, the president of Princeton University, recently acknowledged “serious problems” regarding antisemitism both at his institution and at Columbia University. Despite his concerns, he emphasized that it is inappropriate for the government to use funding as leverage to dictate how universities carry out their research, teaching, or admissions policies.
In a discussion with Rachel Abrams for “The Daily” podcast, Eisgruber examined the implications of funding freezes and the rising antisemitism on campuses across the nation. This conversation comes in the wake of heightened scrutiny on universities due to allegations stemming from President Donald Trump’s administration, which has been investigating schools for purported antisemitic discrimination and harassment.
Following the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, many educational institutions have been put on alert. The Trump administration has threatened to withdraw federal funding from universities that have allegedly allowed on-campus protests perceived as anti-Israel. Columbia University, in an effort to safeguard its $400 million in federal funding, has made significant changes, including revising its protest policies, expanding its Jewish studies program, and restructuring its Middle Eastern studies department.
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Eisgruber remarked, “We began to see precipitous threats to funding streams early on in the new presidential administration.” He highlighted a particularly concerning incident at Columbia, where the government signalled intentions to revoke grants without following due process or conducting appropriate investigations unless the university enacted reforms in admissions policies.
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Amidst discussions of these tensions, there were reports suggesting the Trump administration might pursue a consent decree compelling Columbia University to adhere to executive directives regarding antisemitism. Previously, under the Biden administration, institutions like Brown and Rutgers had also entered into similar agreements in response to antisemitism concerns post the terrorist attack in Israel.
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When questioned on whether he would concede to government demands, such as placing a specific department under academic receivership if funding were at stake, Eisgruber asserted his position firmly: “We would not do that. We believe that would be unlawful, and we would contest that in court.” He emphasized the importance of open discourse and collective advocacy among university leaders, stating, “I really think we all need to be speaking up right now.”
In a context of increasing scrutiny, it was revealed that the Trump administration had recently cut $4 million in funding related to climate research at Princeton, which had previously received $455 million in federal funding for fiscal year 2024, including for its operations of a Department of Energy national laboratory.
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Eisgruber articulated the need for university voices to be heard in the current climate, declaring, “It’s important for me to be using my voice… but I don’t think this is all about Princeton. It’s about what’s happening in the United States.” He warned of a broader crisis affecting American universities, asserting that they should not simply mirror the political ideologies prevailing in the nation.
Eisgruber concluded by stating the urgency of addressing these critical issues, stating, “America’s universities [are] under threat.” He asserted that the recent policy changes pose significant challenges for the educational landscape of the country.
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