Columbia University’s $220M Settlement with Trump: What It Means for Federal Funding – WHDH 7News Boston

Columbia University Reaches $220 Million Settlement with Trump Administration

Columbia University has made headlines by agreeing to pay over $220 million to the federal government. This move aims to restore federal research funding that was cut due to alleged antisemitism on campus.

The university will pay $200 million over three years and an additional $21 million to settle claims of civil rights violations against Jewish staff, following the recent conflict sparked by the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Acting University President Claire Shipman described this agreement as a crucial step forward after intense federal scrutiny. The university had faced threats of losing billions in funding, with over $400 million already revoked earlier this year because officials claimed Columbia didn’t adequately address issues of antisemitism on campus during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

As part of this settlement, Columbia agreed to implement several key reforms. These include changes to its student disciplinary process and applying a federally endorsed definition of antisemitism more broadly, focusing not only on teaching but also on disciplinary actions against students critical of Israel.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon highlighted the significance of this deal, referring to it as a “seismic shift.” She emphasized that Columbia’s reforms could serve as a model for other elite universities aiming to rebuild trust with the public.

Columbia will also review its Middle East curriculum to ensure it is balanced and inclusive. The school has committed to a new approach that prohibits programs aimed at achieving race-based outcomes, diversity targets, or similar goals.

This settlement follows a series of contentious protests on campus. In fact, Columbia was among the first universities to face scrutiny from the Trump administration over claims that it allowed antisemitic discrimination. A university task force found that many Jewish students reported facing hostile behavior, but also noted that some protest leaders argued their criticism was aimed at the Israeli government, not Jewish individuals.

The university’s leadership has seen considerable changes, with three interim presidents in a single year, all acknowledging the need for a cultural shift on campus.

In an added layer of oversight, Columbia has agreed to question international students about their motivations for studying in the U.S. This could potentially make it easier for the administration to deport students involved in protests.

The pressures on Columbia began with a series of government funding cuts and escalated with actions against individuals involved in protests. Notably, one graduate student became the first to face deportation under the Trump administration’s crackdown on pro-Palestinian activists.

Historically, the Trump administration has used funding cuts as a tool to exert influence over universities, a strategy reminiscent of tactics used during previous administrations to address issues of campus safety and political speech. In 2023, more than $2 billion in federal funding has been frozen across several prestigious universities, including Cornell and Princeton.

The unfolding situation at Columbia reflects broader societal debates about freedom of speech, institutional accountability, and the role of universities in supporting a diverse range of viewpoints. While the settlement might ensure a temporary resolution, it raises questions about the long-term implications for academic freedom and university governance in the United States.

For more details, the original report can be found here.

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