Why Columbia opted to settle with the Trump administration in a high-stakes civil rights case
Columbia University is nearing a settlement with the Trump administration that may result in the university paying approximately $200 million to resolve civil rights violation claims. The case centres on allegations that Columbia failed to protect Jewish students from harassment, particularly following tensions that arose during the Israel-Hamas conflict.In addition to the financial settlement, the agreement could see the restoration of around $400 million in federal research funding that had previously been revoked by the Trump administration. Columbia officials are expected to meet White House representatives next week to finalise the terms.Allegations and impact on fundingThe civil rights complaint against Columbia University accused the institution of not adequately addressing the harassment of Jewish students. As a consequence, on March 7, the Trump administration revoked millions in federal research grants. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) froze nearly all research-related funding to Columbia, including active grant reimbursements. Grant Watch, a research tracking body, estimated that roughly $1.18 billion in NIH funding had either been suspended or withdrawn.Other federal bodies, including the National Science Foundation, also ceased funding, significantly affecting Columbia’s research operations. The university became one of several institutions targeted, alongside Harvard University, Cornell University, and Northwestern University.Preconditions and shift in negotiationsIn March, following the initial suspension of funds, Columbia agreed to several conditions set by the Trump administration. These included giving campus police authority to arrest students, limiting the use of face coverings during protests, and imposing stricter oversight on the Middle Eastern Studies department. These measures allowed further negotiations on the potential restoration of funding to proceed.Earlier proposals included placing Columbia under long-term federal supervision through a legally binding agreement. However, current negotiations reportedly exclude that requirement.Internal and external responsesColumbia’s decision to pursue a settlement rather than challenge the federal government in court has drawn criticism within academic circles, where it has been labelled as a form of capitulation. In contrast, Harvard University chose to sue the Trump administration over similar penalties but has recently restarted negotiations to recover its lost funding.Claire Shipman, Columbia’s acting president, defended the decision to negotiate. In a letter addressed to the university community in June, she stated that “Following the law and attempting to resolve a complaint is not capitulation.”If finalised, Columbia would become the first university to reach a formal settlement with the Trump administration over antisemitism-related allegations that resulted in the loss of federal research funds. The outcome of this case could influence how other academic institutions respond to future federal actions tied to campus conduct and civil rights compliance.TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here.
