New york city: Columbia University's board of trustees met to discuss a potential agreement with the Trump administration to restore federal funding, as reported by people familiar with the matter. According to Anadolu Agency, the discussions have not yet included a consent decree, which was initially considered by a government task force to ensure compliance with federal guidelines on combating antisemitism on campus. Instead, recent talks have focused on appointing a monitor or external observer with less authority than a federal judge.

The terms under discussion include restoring at least a portion of the university's federal funding, though details are still being finalized. There is still a possibility that the deal could fall through. The university has been in a standoff with the Trump administration since March, when $400 million in federal grants and contracts were revoked due to Columbia's alleged failure to protect Jewish students from antisemitic harassment following pro-Palestinian protests.

In May, a government investigation found that Columbia had violated civil rights, issuing a formal notice of violation which could lead to a Justice Department lawsuit or a voluntary resolution agreement. Earlier, Columbia had agreed to demands such as restricting the use of masks during protests and expanding police authority, but these concessions did not result in restored funding.

A spokesperson for Columbia declined to comment on the ongoing negotiations but cited a statement from acting President Claire Shipman emphasizing the importance of maintaining the university's autonomy and independent governance. Shipman asserted that the university would continue to decide on teaching staff, curricula, and student admissions independently.