Columbia University to pay $200 million, ban DEI in deal with Trump administration to restore federal research funding

Yahoo

4 days ago

NEW YORK — Columbia University has agreed to pay the Trump administration $200 million over the next three years as part of a broader deal to restore federal research funding, government and school officials announced Wednesday.
The resolution agreement also bans racial preferences in hiring and admissions and other diversity, equity and inclusion programming, according to the feds.
The implementation of the agreement — which caps off months of uncertainty since $400 million was revoked over allegations Columbia had not done enough to combat antisemitism — will be overseen by an independent monitor.
'The settlement was carefully crafted to protect the values that define us and allow our essential research partnership with the federal government to get back on track,' said Columbia Acting President Claire Shipman. 'Importantly, it safeguards our independence, a critical condition for academic excellence and scholarly exploration, work that is vital to the public interest.'
In reaching a resolution, Columbia does not have to admit any wrongdoing. However, the statement said Jewish students and faculty have experienced 'painful, unacceptable incidents' and 'reform was and is needed.'
The agreement codifies the original deal Columbia announced in March, which included oversight of Middle Eastern studies and gave some campus security personnel the power of arrest. Over the last couple of weeks, the university has also moved to adopt a definition of antisemitism that recognizes some criticism of Israel as discriminatory against Jews, and suspend or expel dozens of student protesters.
U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon described the deal as a 'seismic shift' to hold universities that benefit from American taxpayer dollars accountable for antisemitism.
'Our elite campuses have been overrun by anti-Western teachings and a leftist groupthink that restricts speech and debate to push a one-sided view of our nation and the world,' McMahon said. 'Columbia's reforms are a road map for elite universities that wish to regain the confidence of the American public.'
In addition to the $200 million settlement, Columbia will also pay $21 million to settle investigations brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
A Columbia spokesman declined to answer questions about a resolution monitor. In the original statement, the university said the monitor is 'jointly selected' by both parties and will receive 'regular reports' from Columbia on its compliance with laws related to 'admissions, hiring, and international students.'
Despite the deal, a portion of Columbia's federal research funding will not be reinstated, which was canceled through a separate process from the antisemitism investigation, according to the school's announcement. While the university did not offer any specifics, the Trump administration has terminated grants nationwide related to diversity, equity and inclusion programs and transgender people, for example.
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