Are Trump's Settlements Losing Steam?

"In July the University of Pennsylvania was the first to strike a deal, in its case to resolve a Title IX investigation. Penn agreed to erase former swimmer Lia Thomas, a transgender woman, from its record books; bar transgender athletes from future competition; and send personal apology letters "to each impacted female swimmer," among other concessions. In exchange, the Trump administration restored $175 million in federal research funding frozen amid the investigation."

"Columbia University was the next to reach a deal, agreeing to pay a $221 million fine and overhaul admissions, disciplinary processes and academic programs, among other far-reaching changes. For its part, the government dropped investigations into campus antisemitism and restored $400 million in research funding. The agreement prompted criticism from academics who argued Columbia capitulated to authoritarian demands."

"That deal was soon followed by a settlement with Brown University, also in July. In response to claims that Brown failed to adequately police antisemitism, officials agreed to conduct a campus climate survey, codify certain changes aimed at preventing discrimination and make concessions regarding gender definitions and treatment of transgender patients, among other things. Brown also agreed to spend $50 million over the course of a decade on state workforce development."

Federal authorities used legal investigations and withheld research funding to extract settlements from multiple major universities. Universities agreed to policy changes, financial penalties, and concessions on student discipline, admissions, and gender-related policies in exchange for restoration of frozen federal research support. The University of Pennsylvania removed a transgender swimmer from records, banned transgender athletes from future competition, and regained $175 million. Columbia agreed to pay a $221 million fine, overhaul procedures, and regained $400 million. Brown committed to climate surveys, anti-discrimination measures, gender- and transgender-related concessions, workforce spending, and saw $510 million restored.

Read at Inside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs