Columbia strikes $221 million deal with Trump administration — setting a precedent for others.

            Columbia strikes $221 million deal with Trump administration — setting a precedent for others

In a first-of-its-kind agreement, Columbia University will pay a $221 million fine and accept some federal oversight to regain access to over $1.2 billion in research funding frozen by the Trump administration.

The White House had accused Columbia of failing to protect Jewish students from harassment, and used that allegation to justify the suspension of funding from federal agencies. Now, Columbia is back in compliance — but with strings attached.

The deal is likely to become a model for other elite schools, like Harvard and Northwestern, currently locked in similar battles with the federal government over accusations of antisemitism on their campuses.
The terms: The deal resolves more than a half-dozen civil rights probes and comes with a list of conditions, including limits on campus protests, changes to admissions policies, and a commitment to abide by a federally endorsed definition of antisemitism that includes some forms of anti-Zionism. An independent monitor — already selected by both parties — will review Columbia’s compliance and report back to federal agencies every six months.

The fine print: Columbia agreed to drop race-based admissions, limit DEI initiatives that violate federal law, and notify the government when international students are arrested. It will also appoint 36 new public safety officers with arrest powers and elevate oversight of departments like Middle Eastern studies.

The quote: “Jewish students and faculty have experienced painful, unacceptable incidents, and that reform was and is needed,” Columbia said in a statement, without admitting to wrongdoing.

Why it matters: The agreement offers a road map for other universities looking to avoid litigation and restore funding — but it also raises questions about academic independence and the growing role of politics in shaping campus policy.

Taken on: July 24, 2025

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