Columbia University is preparing to strike a deal with the Trump administration, taking steps to address alleged civil rights violations on campus in exchange for the release of $400 million of withheld federal funds, The Wall Street Journal and CNN reported.
According to the Journal, the university is in discussions with the administration to pay out roughly $200 million, some of which would go to the government and some to students and professors who allegedly have had their rights violated.
A source told CNN that Columbia will not only pay a multimillion-dollar settlement to victims of alleged civil rights violations but also revamp diversity, equity and inclusion policies; increase transparency in hiring and admissions; and make campus safer for Jewish students.
CNN also reported that Columbia’s Board of Trustees met on July 6 to review the terms of the settlement.
A Columbia spokesperson emphasized to both news outlets that a deal has not been finalized and negotiations were ongoing.
“The university is focused on advancing discussions with the federal government,” the spokesperson said. “There is no resolution at this time.”
President Trump told CNN last week, “I think we’re going to probably settle with Harvard. We’re going to probably settle with Columbia. They want to settle very badly. There’s no rush.”
He added that any settlement would involve “a lot of money.”
