The Trump administration has managed to win a significant victory in its ongoing battle to ‘de-woke’ the nation’s most prestigious colleges and universities.
Columbia University has agreed to a sweeping $221 million settlement with the Trump administration, vowing to end racially discriminatory practices and resolve civil rights violations against Jewish students.
The agreement follows months of negotiations triggered by the administration’s decision to revoke over $400 million in federal grants due to the alleged violations. Under the terms of the settlement, most of that funding will now be restored, according to the official resolution.
As part of the deal, Columbia will pay $200 million to the federal government and set aside an additional $21 million in a claims fund for Jewish employees who faced discrimination during the 2024 pro-Palestine encampments. Those encampments, which escalated when protesters occupied campus buildings and blocked Jewish students from entering, were ultimately dismantled.
“This agreement marks an important step forward after a period of sustained federal scrutiny and institutional uncertainty,” Columbia acting President Claire Shipman said in a statement posted on the university’s website. “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.”
She continued: “Importantly, it safeguards our independence, a critical condition for academic excellence and scholarly exploration, work that is vital to the public interest.” In addition, the university will create faculty positions to broaden intellectual diversity, Newsmax reported.
Besides addressing civil rights violations against Jewish students, Columbia has agreed to eliminate all programs that discriminate against employees and students based on race, gender, or other immutable characteristics. The move brings the Ivy League institution into compliance with the Supreme Court’s landmark 2023 ruling striking down affirmative action.
