**Historic Settlement with Cornell University**: Today, former President Donald Trump announced a significant settlement with Cornell University aimed at promoting fairness in higher education.
- This agreement requires Cornell to follow Federal civil rights laws and eliminate any racial discrimination in admissions or university programs. Cornell must provide the Federal government with access to data to ensure compliance with merit-based admissions.
- Cornell will pay a $30 million penalty to the U.S., in equal yearly installments over the next three years.
- Additionally, Cornell will invest $30 million in research programs that support U.S. farmers, also distributed over three years.
- The university will conduct annual campus climate surveys to ensure Jewish students feel safe and that anti-Semitism is actively addressed.
- This settlement reinstates all Federal grants to Cornell and restores its eligibility for future funding. Pending investigations under Titles VI and IX will be closed, but investigations about employment practices (Title VII) will continue.
- Cornell’s president must certify every three months that the university complies with the agreement and follows all related civil rights laws. The university agrees to use the Department of Justice’s guidelines for federal funding as training material for staff.
**Tackling Discrimination at Cornell**: This settlement comes on the heels of public concerns regarding Cornell’s practices and allegations of discrimination based on race and national origin.
- Issues such as the university’s diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, racially-based scholarships, and reported anti-Semitism raised important questions about equal opportunity and adherence to federal law.
- With this agreement, the Trump Administration aims to ensure Cornell maintains high standards of merit and creates a safer academic environment for all students.
**Promoting Reforms in Higher Education**: Former President Trump is pushing to hold elite universities accountable, ensuring they emphasize fairness and merit.
- The Administration has targeted institutions like Harvard and Columbia for alleged discriminatory practices and their failure to protect students from anti-Semitism.
- In a notable case, the University of Pennsylvania was prompted to keep men out of women’s sports, thereby reinstating accolades for female athletes.
- Moreover, Trump successfully negotiated a $200 million settlement with Columbia University and a $50 million settlement with Brown, marking substantial progress in accountability within academia.
**Expert Insights**: A recent survey by the Pew Research Center found that 58% of Americans believe that universities should prioritize merit over diversity in admissions. This sentiment aligns with the findings from the American Council on Education, which states that many students feel pressured by politically correct policies that can stifle free speech on campuses.
In summary, this settlement with Cornell reflects a broader trend of accountability in education. As universities face scrutiny over their practices, students are increasingly advocating for an environment that values merit and inclusivity without discrimination. This balance is crucial for the integrity of academia going forward.
