Columbia University agrees to pay more than $220M in deal with Trump to restore federal funding

Columbia University has agreed to pay over $220 million to the federal government to reinstate federal research funding that was previously canceled due to concerns about antisemitism on campus. The agreement includes a $200 million settlement paid over three years and an additional $21 million to resolve alleged civil rights violations against Jewish employees. This deal follows a period of intense federal scrutiny and uncertainty for the university, which had faced the potential loss of billions in government support. The funding was halted because the administration believed Columbia failed to adequately address antisemitism during the Israel-Hamas war. Columbia has committed to a series of reforms, including overhauling its student disciplinary process and adopting a federally endorsed definition of antisemitism. While the agreement does not include an admission of wrongdoing, it codifies these reforms and aims to preserve the university's autonomy. Education Secretary Linda McMahon described the deal as a significant step in holding institutions accountable for antisemitic discrimination. The reforms also involve reviewing Middle East curricula, appointing new faculty to the Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies, and ending programs promoting race-based outcomes or diversity targets. President Donald Trump stated that Columbia has committed to ending DEI policies and admitting students based on merit, warning that other institutions may face similar scrutiny. The agreement also includes provisions for questioning international students about their reasons for studying in the U.S. and sharing disciplinary information on student-visa holders with the government. This resolution comes after Columbia suspended, expelled, or revoked degrees from over 70 students involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations.