Billionaire Halts Funding to Columbia Over Anti-Semitism

Philanthropist Mortimer Zuckerman has suspended a $200 million funding commitment to Columbia University's Mind Brain Behavior Institute, citing the institution's inadequate response to rising anti-Semitism on campus. This decision follows Zuckerman's growing concerns about the university's handling of anti-Semitic incidents, particularly after the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. Discussions regarding these issues took place over several months before Zuckerman ultimately decided to cut off the funding. Zuckerman, who has a long history in real estate and media, including ownership of U.S. News & World Report and the New York Daily News, previously launched initiatives aimed at fostering collaboration between American and Israeli researchers. His philanthropic efforts included a $100 million STEM initiative, underscoring his commitment to educational and scientific advancement. However, his recent experiences with Columbia have led him to question the university's governance and its ability to address anti-Semitism effectively. In response to Zuckerman's concerns, Columbia requested time to "rebuild trust and demonstrate better governance." The university has faced scrutiny, particularly after a texting scandal involving four deans who exchanged derogatory messages during an alumni panel on anti-Semitism. Despite these controversies, Columbia has not taken action against the deans involved. While a significant portion of the $200 million donation has already been allocated, it remains uncertain how the pause in funding will impact the Mind Brain Behavior Institute and its ongoing research initiatives.