Columbia University to pay $200 mn in clash with Trump

AFP/APP

New York: Columbia University has agreed to pay $200 million to the US government to resolve multiple federal investigations into alleged violations of anti-discrimination laws—following months of escalating tensions with President Donald Trump over campus climate and federal funding.

The landmark settlement, announced Wednesday, comes after Trump threatened to cut off federal funds, accusing the prestigious Ivy League institution of failing to protect Jewish students and fostering a politically biased environment.

In addition to the $200 million payment—scheduled over a three-year period—Columbia will also pay $21 million to settle claims brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The university has committed to comply with federal rules barring the use of race in admissions and hiring decisions, among other stipulations.

“Columbia University has reached an agreement with the United States government to resolve multiple federal agency investigations into alleged violations of federal anti-discrimination laws,” the university said in a statement, noting that the deal would allow the reinstatement of most federal grants that were suspended or terminated in March 2025.

With billions of dollars in current and future grants now back in reach, the agreement offers significant financial relief to Columbia, which—despite its large endowment—has faced growing fiscal pressure in recent months.

The settlement is also seen as a political win for President Trump, who has long criticized elite academic institutions for what he calls their “left-wing bias” and “hostility to conservative and nationalist values.” His administration has increasingly tied federal funding to campus policies on diversity, inclusion, and free speech.

Harvard University, another top-tier institution, remains locked in a similar standoff with the federal government. Analysts say Columbia’s deal—crafted without any admission of wrongdoing—could serve as a model for future resolutions.

“This agreement marks an important step forward after a period of sustained federal scrutiny and institutional uncertainty,” said Columbia’s acting president, Claire Shipman.

“The settlement was carefully crafted to protect the values that define us and to allow our essential research partnership with the federal government to get back on track. Importantly, it safeguards our independence—a critical condition for academic excellence and scholarly exploration, work that is vital to the public interest,” she added.