On Monday, June 16th, Manhattan Federal Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil rejected the lawsuit filed by two Columbia University faculty unions against the Trump administration. The lawsuit challenged the administration’s funding cuts and demanded reforms in student discipline and increased oversight of the Middle Eastern Studies department.
According to Reuters, Vyskocil pointed out that the lawsuit was dismissed because the two plaintiffs – the American Association of University Professors and the American Federation of Teachers – lacked legal standing to sue. She stated that Columbia University itself was “clearly absent” in this case.
Vyskocil wrote, “If funds are improperly withheld, the appropriate plaintiffs can recover the funds through a successful lawsuit in the appropriate court. However, the role of a district court judge is not to first command the executive branch to implement policies and then question it afterwards.”
She further added, “If every plaintiff objecting to executive actions could obtain special relief, our democracy would not function properly.”
Both plaintiffs in the lawsuit have indicated plans to appeal.
Todd Wolfson, the President of the American Association of University Professors, stated in a release: “The threats and intimidations by the Trump administration against Columbia University are part of its authoritarian agenda, far beyond the scope of Columbia University. We will continue to resist.”
Judge Vyskocil was appointed by Trump. Just 12 days before her ruling, the Department of Education threatened to revoke Columbia University’s accreditation for failing to protect Jewish students (including in response to pro-Palestinian protest activities).
US Education Secretary Mike Mahon stated in a release on June 4th that after Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, the Columbia University leadership showed blatant disregard for harassment of Jewish students on campus, “which is not only unethical but also illegal.”
The statement mentioned, “If a university fails to come into compliance within the specified time frame, the accrediting agency must take appropriate action against it.”
If Columbia University’s accreditation is revoked, it would result in the university losing federal funding and student aid. Data from the official Columbia University website shows that about 21% of undergraduate students at Columbia College and the School of Engineering receive federal Pell Grants. Additionally, federally supported work-study programs could also be jeopardized.
Previously, the Trump administration revoked $400 million in federal funding for Columbia University, forcing the institution to make concessions in March, including defining anti-Semitism, regulating protest activities, and increasing oversight of the Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies departments.