Columbia University on Tuesday announced it has adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism.

The move is part of significant campus reforms the institution is making ahead of a possible funding deal with the Trump administration.

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“Columbia is committed to taking all possible steps to combat antisemitism and the University remains dedicated to ensuring that complaints of discrimination and harassment of all types, including complaints based on Jewish and Israeli identity, are treated in the same manner,” Columbia’s acting president, Claire Shipman, said in a statement.

“Formally adding the consideration of the IHRA definition into our existing anti-discrimination policies strengthens our approach to combating antisemitism,” she added.

The IHRA defines antisemitism as a “certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.” Although other schools have widely adopted it, the group’s definition is controversial among progressive, anti-Israel groups.

Under the definition, criticism of Israel itself would not be regarded as antisemitic.

Columbia is also appointing Title VI and Title VII coordinators to review and respond to antisemitic allegations and providing additional antidiscrimination training to the entire campus community, according to Shipman.

The announcement comes as Columbia continues negotiating a deal with the Trump administration to restore the Ivy League university’s federal funding. Such a deal could be closed as early as this week, the New York Times reported. The agreement will likely require a fine to settle antisemitism claims in addition to further reforms on campus.

Columbia began discussions with the Trump administration after the federal government pulled over $400 million in funding in March. The school holds more than $5 billion in federal grant commitments.

“Our work toward an agreement with the federal government has put a harsh spotlight on many of the difficult issues regarding discrimination and harassment we’ve seen on our campuses,” Shipman said.

“The fact that we’ve faced pressure from the government does not make the problems on our campuses any less real; a significant part of our community has been deeply affected in negative ways,” she continued. “In my view, any government agreement we reach is only a starting point for change. Committing to reform on our own is a more powerful path. It will better enable us to recognize our shortcomings and create lasting change.”

JEWISH COLUMBIA PROFESSOR SHAI DAVIDAI LEAVES SCHOOL AFTER WARNING ABOUT ANTISEMITISM

Antisemitism has been a problem for numerous universities and colleges, including Columbia, since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Schools have seen volatile anti-Israel protests on campus, leading to a hostile campus environment that has caused some Jewish faculty to leave.

Jewish Columbia professor Shai Davidai, who has been outspoken about the rampant antisemitism on campus, decided to leave his job earlier this month. His departure coincided with the university clearing his name in an investigation. Davidai was accused of harassing and intimidating school employees and thus was barred from campus for a time.