Columbia University will pay more than $220 million as part of a settlement with the Trump administration regarding alleged violations of federal antidiscrimination laws. This agreement ensures that Columbia retains billions in federal research funding, including previously canceled grants. The settlement includes significant reforms in admissions and diversity programs, explicitly prohibiting unlawful race-based targets. Columbia will also pay $200 million over three years and $21 million for civil rights violations following a Hamas attack. The settlement may serve as a model for other colleges facing similar accusations.
The agreement pushes Columbia to limit the consideration of race even beyond the Supreme Court's 2023 decision ending affirmative action. It states, "Columbia may not use personal statements, diversity narratives, or any applicant reference to racial identity in admissions decisions." This places strict limitations on how race can factor into admissions, reflecting a significant shift in how universities approach these criteria in a post-affirmative action landscape.
Columbia University will pay the federal government $200 million over three years along with $21 million to resolve civil rights violations against Jewish employees that arose following a crisis related to the Hamas attack on Israel.
As part of the settlement, Columbia has agreed to end programs aimed at achieving race-based outcomes and to avoid unlawful Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) goals. The institution must now provide regular reports to an independent monitor regarding these changes.
The deal serves as a model for the Trump administration's efforts in reaching settlements with other institutions similarly accused of not sufficiently addressing issues of campus antisemitism.
#columbia-university #trump-administration #antidiscrimination-laws #federal-investigations #higher-education-reforms
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