Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso Graduation Week with Columbia Journalism Dean Jelani Cobb
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May 25, 2025 Jelani Cobb, Dean of the Columbia Journalism School and a seasoned staff writer at The New Yorker, dives into the tumultuous climate of academia today. He examines the urgent issues of free speech and activism amid graduation celebrations, the Trump administration's impact on higher ed, and the detention of student activist Mahmoud Khalil. Cobb also reflects on the evolving challenges in journalism, the fleeting nature of corporate activism post-2020, and the enduring legacy of George Floyd, emphasizing the need for truthful storytelling in these complex times.
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Assault on Academic Freedom
- The Trump administration's assault on higher education targets academic freedom and dissent.
- Penalties increased despite attempts by institutions like Columbia to comply and negotiate in good faith.
Endowment Restrictions And Penalties
- University endowments are mostly restricted funds and cannot offset federal penalties.
- Cutting federal research funds disrupts crucial long-term projects beyond mere budget numbers.
Graduation Speech Reactions
- During Columbia's graduation, acting president's speech was met with boos and cheers reflecting campus tensions.
- Cobb witnessed the mixed reactions and sought to provide a balanced view of the event.