Dozens of masked protesters flocked to the Columbia University campus, and school officials enacted restrictions that would suppress facial coverings in order to comply with the Trump administration's orders aimed at combating anti-Semitism in higher education.
A fresh round of demonstrations has led Jewish Columbia students to question whether the new rules have been fully undertaken.
“They are protesting the ban on masks. They are ignoring what they perceive as a ban on masks. There is no mask ban.”
“It's scary to see what's happened in the last 18 months. I'm worried about the future of higher education. I'm really hindering the community's mischief sec of what's going on,” she said.
Protesters organized by the Graduate Student Union and the Palestinian Solidarity Union announced a cow's call on social media on Monday, declaring it “Mask Up Monday.” Provocatively sniffs the university's newly announced restrictions, urging students, faculty and staff to skip a day's work or class.
“Colombia is working with the White House to oppress students fighting for the liberation of Palestine, just as “Israel” has broken a ceasefire and re-expanded the Palestinian genocide.”
In a March 3 letter written by a joint task force consisting of the Department of Education, the General Services Bureau, Health and Human Services, the Trump administration called for a complete ban on masks on campus as part of a sweeping list of university reform.
Ivy League schools were given a month of compliance or risk to lose about $400 million in federal funds.
On Friday, Colombia announced it would cooperate with the order, enacting many policy changes directly in accordance with the task force's request. Amidst the change, the university has banned all facial coverings on campuses worn “with the purpose of concealing their identity in a university policy or a committee of violation of state, local government, or federal law.”
The university also said it would require people wearing masks on campus to identify themselves immediately when asked by public safety officers or be subject to “discipline, escorted from campus and detained for trespassing if necessary.”
Yadegar, a former member of Israeli-supporting students, said that reforms are “cautiously optimistic” that as long as the school actually enforces them, reforms will improve campus conditions.
“Every time we raise hope, we retreat three steps,” she said.
The Morningside Heights Campus has become a breeding ground for anti-Semitic slogans and demonstrations since Israel declared a war with Hamas following the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks.
In a statement to the Post, the university reiterated its new policy on campus masks – pledging that “violations will be met with consequences,” reaffirming its commitment to complying with the terms of its budding agreement with the Trump administration.
“Colombia is fully committed to the steps it announced last week to continue fighting anti-Semitism and all forms of discrimination and harassment,” the statement read.
The Trump Administration Joint Task Force issued a statement ahead of Monday's protest that it was “encouraged” by the university's first measures.
“Columbia has demonstrated proper cooperation with the Trump administration's requirements and we look forward to a lasting resolution,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said.
“I have been communicating with Katrina Armstrong, interim president of Columbia University over the past few weeks and are grateful for her leadership and commitment to moving forward with truly meaningful reforms on campus.”
