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Topline
Columbia University on Wednesday announced that it has agreed to pay $221 million to settle multiple civil rights investigations opened by the Trump administration—which accused the university of failing to combat antisemitism on campus—in a deal that President Donald Trump described as “historic” and the “right” thing for the university to do.
Columbia University said the agreement preserves its autonomy and authority over faculty hiring, … More
TNS
Key Facts
In a statement detailing the agreement, the university said it will pay $200 million over three years to the federal government to settle allegations that it violated antidiscrimination laws.
Columbia will pay an additional $21 million to settle a case brought against it by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
The university said the agreement “preserves Columbia’s autonomy and authority over faculty hiring, admissions, and academic decision-making.”
A “jointly selected independent monitor” will oversee Columbia’s compliance with the deal which includes guidelines around its admissions and faculty hiring processes.
The university said the agreement will “a vast majority” of the more than $400 million in federal grants from the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Health and Human Services that were frozen by Trump in March.
The agreement also allows for the release of “overdue payments on active, non-terminated grants,” and Columbia will once again be eligible to apply for new federal research funding.
How Has Trump Reacted To The Settlement?
In a post on his Truth Social platform, President Donald Trump said his administration had reached a “historic agreement with Columbia University.” He added: “Columbia has also committed to ending their ridiculous DEI policies, admitting students based ONLY on MERIT, and protecting the Civil Liberties of their students on campus.” The president also commended Columbia “for agreeing to do what is right,” and added, “I look forward to watching them have a great future in our Country.”
What Has Columbia University’s Leadership Said?
In a statement, the university’s acting president, Claire Shipman, said the agreement will help end “a period of considerable institutional uncertainty,” and added: “The resolution will allow the University to move forward with clarity and focus—returning our full attention to the work of teaching, discovery, and public service. It will also enable all of us to turn our attention to mending and rebuilding our community.”
Who Is The Independent Monitor Set To Oversee The Implementation Of The Deal?
Both sides have already agreed to a independent monitor to oversee Columbia’s implementation of the deal. According to the Resolution Agreement document published by the university, Bart M. Schwartz, who is the former chief of the criminal division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, will serve in the role. Schwartz currently serves as the chairman of the crisis management and risk compliance consulting firm Guidepost Solutions, which he co-founded. According to his profile on the firm’s website, Schwartz has served as “the Department of Justice-appointed monitor of General Motors (GM), arising out of GM’s deferred prosecution settlement of charges related to making and selling cars with defective ignition switches.” He also was part of a team that assisted the University of Michigan “with implementing recommended remediation efforts in the aftermath of sexual harassment charges.”
Further Reading
Columbia University agrees to pay more than $220M in deal with Trump to restore federal funding (Associated Press)
Columbia will pay $220 million in deal with Trump administration to resume federal funding (Columbia Spectator)
