Brown University Reaches $50M Settlement with Trump Administration Addressing Campus Antisemitism Allegations

Brown University recently announced a $50 million agreement with the Trump administration to restore its federal research funding. This comes after the university lost funding last spring due to allegations of antisemitism on campus.

Just last week, Columbia University settled a similar dispute for $221 million. Harvard University is reportedly in talks for its own deal, while the University of Pennsylvania has already made its own agreement concerning its policies.

As part of Brown’s deal, the university will allocate funding over the next ten years to state organizations that follow anti-discrimination laws. Furthermore, it is expected to improve campus conditions for Jewish students and take active steps to combat antisemitism. This includes renewing partnerships with Israeli academics and promoting applications from Jewish day school students. An independent organization will conduct a survey to assess the campus climate for Jewish students.

President Trump praised the settlement on Truth Social, stating that it marks the end of antisemitism and other forms of discrimination at Brown.

Initially, Brown faced a $500 million cut in federal funding in April, framed as an effort to tackle antisemitism. The agreement also requires the university to adopt “biology-based definitions” for gender and limit certain medical procedures for minors—a controversial stipulation given its medical school.

Brown’s president, Christina H. Paxson, reassured the community that the university’s academic freedom is not compromised under this agreement. She has expressed concern over government influence in academic operations and emphasized the importance of maintaining autonomy in education.

In a notable public response, dozens of Brown alumni, including rabbis and cantors, urged Paxson not to give in to pressures that might exploit antisemitism. They argued that this tactic could backfire and harm the Jewish community rather than help it.

Rabbi Josh Bolton, of Brown RISD Hillel, noted that the agreement reinforces Brown’s strong commitment to Jewish life on campus, but acknowledged that more work is needed to create an inclusive environment for all students.

This situation reflects a broader trend in which allegations of antisemitism are being used as leverage in disputes over funding and policies at universities across the nation. As educational institutions navigate these complexities, balancing academic freedom and compliance with federal mandates will remain a hot topic.

For more insights on the implications of these funding disputes, check out this report on university funding and discrimination policies.

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