WASHINGTON () Columbia University announced Wednesday it will pay more than $220 million to the federal government, resolving a monthslong standoff with the Trump administration over claims the school failed to protect Jewish students and staff during last year’s pro-Palestinian campus protests.
As part of the agreement, the university will pay a $200 million settlement over the next three years, and an additional $21 million to resolve alleged civil rights violations against Jewish faculty members after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, the White House said.
Acting university President Claire Shipman called the settlement “an important step forward,” noting that it paves the way for the reinstatement of the majority of the $400 million in federal grants that the administration pulled earlier this year.
Columbia settles without admitting wrongdoing over antisemitism claims
The protests at Columbia sparked a nationwide wave of campus demonstrations. A federal antisemitism task force later found Jewish students were verbally harassed and ostracized in the classroom during that time.
The settlement, which includes no admission of wrongdoing, codifies a series of reforms while maintaining the university’s autonomy, Shipman said.
Earlier this week, Columbia expelled several students involved in past protests on campus. The school also committed to enforcing protest rules announced in March, including banning the use of face masks, and phasing out diversity, equity and inclusion-based policies in hiring and admissions.
Trump hails Columbia deal, signals more action against universities
President Donald Trump celebrated the agreement, calling it “historic” and commending Columbia for “agreeing to do what is right.”
He hinted that other higher education institutions that are missing federal funds could face similar fates.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon called the deal a “seismic shift” in holding universities accountable for antisemitism and harassment.
The Trump administration has used federal research funding as its primary lever in its campaign to reshape higher education. More than $2 billion in total has also been frozen at Cornell, Northwestern, Brown and Princeton universities.
Administration officials pulled $175 million from the University of Pennsylvania in March over a dispute around women’s sports. They restored it when school officials agreed to update records set by transgender swimmer Lia Thomas and change their policies.
The administration is also looking beyond private universities. University of Virginia President James Ryan agreed to resign in June under pressure from a Justice Department investigation into diversity, equity and inclusion practices. A similar investigation was opened this month at George Mason University.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
