Interim President Armstrong emailed the Columbia community responding to the potential halting of federal funding.

Interim President Katrina Armstrong emailed the Columbia community Tuesday evening in response to the federal government’s halting of federal funding. Her email followed the Trump administration’s recent move to block trillions of dollars in federal grants and loans until they are “vetted.” 

On Tuesday afternoon, hours after the executive order was signed, a D.C. federal judge blocked the order in response to a lawsuit by Democracy Forward, a liberal organization that argued the directive violated First Amendment rights. The judge is expected to issue a more permanent decision on February 3. Despite the directive being blocked, the executive order and its uncertain future shocked many publicly funded and supported institutions, including universities across the country. 

As of Wednesday, the White House has rescinded the order, lifting all freezes on federal grants and loans to “end any confusion,” according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. However, Trump’s other directives curtailing government spending, including halting new government hires, remain in full effect.  

Armstrong responded to Tuesday’s executive order by taking a “moment to reiterate [Columbia’s] unwavering commitment to the core mission and principles and define us.” Armstrong acknowledged the uncertainty that comes with the paused funding, noting that Columbia is working with “key external partners” to plan for this scenario should it come to fruition. About 24% of Columbia’s class of 2028 receives a Pell Grant, which is the largest federal grant awarded to undergraduate students. In 2022, 57% of undergraduates at Columbia received some sort of federal grant or loan. 

Armstrong recognized that “this moment may prompt concern,” but urged the community to “come together,” and to “respond thoughtfully.” She also acknowledged the uncertainty of the situation. She noted that the University will continue to be “as transparent as [it] can” in its decisions as they address future steps.

The New York Times also reported that several universities are hiring lobbying groups “whom Republicans might view favorably.” Columbia has hired BGR Government Affairs, a policy advocacy and public relations firm. Chief among its staff is co-founder and partner Haley Barbour, former Mississippi governor and Republican National Committee chairman.

On Tuesday evening, Barnard VP for Enrollment and External Affairs Jennifer Fondiller sent an email to certain Barnard students receiving specific types of federal aid emphasizing that the funding pause “does not impact student federal loans, Pell Grants, or other forms of direct financial assistance to individual students.”

Before it was rescinded, the directive to halt funding was being disputed in multiple courts, coming after a series of other executive orders targeting federal loans and hiring by the new Trump administration

This is a developing story.

Email from President Katrina Armstrong to the Columbia community on Tuesday, January 28th at 5:02 pm:

Dear members of the Columbia community:

In response to the recent memo from the Office of Management and Budget pausing federal funding, I want to take a moment to reiterate our unwavering commitment to the core mission and principles that define us.

Over the past several months, our leadership team has been actively planning for a variety of scenarios, including this one. In collaboration with key external partners, we have been laying the groundwork to ensure our resilience in the face of uncertainty. We are confident in our collective ability to navigate these challenges with the prudence and foresight that have always characterized this institution.

At the heart of our work are our students, our patients, our faculty, and our research. Each of these groups are fundamental not only to the future of our University but also to the advancement of knowledge and society as a whole. Our commitment to their success remains resolute. We understand that this moment may prompt concern, but it is in times such as these that our strength shines brightest.

Columbia has weathered difficult moments throughout our history, drawing on the resolve and resilience of this community to emerge stronger each time. Today, we stand at another such moment. It is a time for us to come together, to respond thoughtfully, and to demonstrate our ability to adapt with integrity and with our mission at the fore.

This will be a dynamic period, and we will keep you informed as new developments unfold. We will be as transparent as we can in our communications and in our decision-making processes, as we continue to uphold the values that make our University a beacon of excellence.

Thank you for your continued dedication to our shared mission.

Sincerely,

Katrina Armstrong

Interim President, Columbia University in the City of New York

Email from VP for Enrollment and External Affairs Jennifer Fondiller to Barnard Students on Tuesday, January 28th at 5:46 pm:

Dear [_____],

As you may have heard today, The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has ordered federal government agencies to implement a pause on all federal grants and loans under their purview, effective this evening.  I wanted to let you know that this pause does not impact student federal loans, Pell Grants or other forms of direct financial assistance to individual students. 

We are closely monitoring for any developments and will provide additional updates as needed.

Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Fondiller

VP for Enrollment and External Affairs

News Editor Khushi Chhaya and Eira Prakash contributed to this piece.

Alma Mater via Bwog Archive