Federal agencies have launched a review of Columbia University’s federal contracts and grants amid ongoing investigations into alleged Title VI violations. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Education, and the General Services Administration (GSA) announced on Monday that they are assessing the university’s compliance with federal regulations.

The Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism is considering issuing “Stop Work Orders” for $51.4 million in contracts awarded to the university, citing the school’s “ongoing inaction in the face of relentless harassment of Jewish students,” according to a press release.

Additionally, the task force will conduct a broader review of over $5 billion in federal grants to Columbia to ensure it meets its civil rights obligations.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a statement, “Anti-Semitism – like racism – is a spiritual and moral malady that sickens societies and kills people with lethalities comparable to history’s most deadly plagues. In recent years, the censorship and false narratives of woke cancel culture have transformed our great universities into greenhouses for this deadly and virulent pestilence. Making America healthy means building communities of trust and mutual respect, based on speech freedom and open debate.”

Newly confirmed Secretary of Education Linda McMahon also addressed the issue, stating, “Americans have watched in horror for more than a year now, as Jewish students have been assaulted and harassed on elite university campuses. Unlawful encampments and demonstrations have completely paralyzed day-to-day campus operations, depriving Jewish students of learning opportunities to which they are entitled. Institutions that receive federal funds have a responsibility to protect all students from discrimination. Columbia’s apparent failure to uphold their end of this basic agreement raises very serious questions about the institution’s fitness to continue doing business with the United States government.”

The review of Columbia University’s funding marks the first significant action from the multi-agency task force established through an executive order signed by President Trump at the start of his administration.

Columbia University responded in a statement, saying, “We are reviewing tonight’s communication from the Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services, and General Services Administration. Columbia is fully committed to combating anti-Semitism and all forms of discrimination, and we are resolute that calling for, promoting, or glorifying violence or terror has no place at our University. We look forward to ongoing work with the new federal administration to fight anti-Semitism, and we will continue to make all efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff.”

The review follows several incidents on campus, including one in January when masked agitators disrupted a Jewish history class and distributed anti-Semitic flyers, including one that vowed to “Burn Zionism to the Ground.” In February, the Department of Education announced investigations into Columbia and four other universities over reports of anti-Semitism.

In December, the AMCHA Initiative ranked universities nationwide based on anti-Zionism, with Columbia receiving the worst ranking among Ivy League institutions. Additionally, in April 2024, an anti-Israel encampment was set up at Columbia, similar to demonstrations at other universities. Protesters, many of whom were not students, later broke into and occupied Hamilton Hall.