New york: President Donald Trump announced a significant agreement with Columbia University, in which the institution will pay $200 million to the United States government to settle federal discrimination claims and regain access to federal funding.
According to Anadolu Agency, the settlement requires Columbia University to pay a penalty of $200 million for violating federal law, alongside over $20 million to its Jewish employees who were unlawfully targeted and harassed. The university also committed to admitting students based solely on merit and pledged to protect students' civil liberties.
Columbia University stated that the settlement payment would be spread over three years, resolving claims of discrimination against Jewish students. The agreement will result in the restoration of most of the $400 million in federal grants that had been suspended or canceled by the Trump administration.
The settlement also includes an additional $21 million to conclude investigations by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regarding allegations of bias in employment and campus safety. While Columbia does not admit wrongdoing, it acknowledged the need for reform to address incidents involving Jewish students and faculty.
As part of the agreement, Columbia will undergo federal monitoring of its admissions and hiring practices and will share information about certain foreign students with immigration officials. The Trump administration had previously accused the university of inaction regarding harassment of Jewish students, leading to the suspension of key federal funds.
The university had already accepted several federal demands, including a ban on protest masks and enhanced oversight of its Middle East studies program. Trump praised the settlement as a significant achievement and expressed gratitude to Columbia for agreeing to the terms.
Columbia University stated that the agreement builds on its broader commitment to combating antisemitism. Recently, the university disciplined over 70 students involved in pro-Palestinian protests, including the takeover of Butler Library, which followed unrest related to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
In March, the Trump administration had terminated federal grants to Columbia due to its perceived failure to address antisemitism. The new agreement restores most of that funding while placing the university under oversight and ending controversial diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.