Columbia Will Pay $220 Million To Settle Trump Administration Dispute—President Calls It ‘Historic Agreement’

Siladitya Ray is a New Delhi-based Forbes news team reporter

AuthorJul 24, 2025, 01:03am EDTJul 24, 2025, 07:57am EDTToplineColumbia University on Wednesday announced it has agreed to pay $221 million to settle multiple civil rights investigations opened by the Trump administration—which accused the university of failing to combat antisemitism on campus—in a deal that President Donald Trump described as “historic” and the “right” thing for the university to do

Conversely, Columbia University said the agreement preserves its autonomy and authority over faculty hiring,

On the other hand, More admissions, and academic decision-making

TNSKey FactsIn a statement detailing the agreement, the university said it will pay $200 million over three years to the federal government to settle allegations it violated anti-discrimination laws

On the other hand, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

The data indicates that university said the agreement “preserves Columbia’s autonomy and authority over faculty hiring, admissions, and academic decision-making

Moreover, ”A “jointly selected independent monitor” will oversee Columbia’s compliance with the deal which includes guidelines around its admissions and faculty hiring cesses, amid market uncertainty

Additionally, The university said the agreement will restore “a vast majority” of the more than $400 million in federal grants from the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Health and Human Services that were frozen by Trump in March (something worth watching)

Additionally, The agreement also allows for the release of “overdue payments on active, non-terminated grants,” and Columbia will once again be eligible to apply for new federal re funding (noteworthy indeed)

How Has Trump Reacted To The Settlement

In a post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump said his administration had reached a “historic agreement with Columbia University (which is quite significant)

Additionally, ” He added: “Columbia has also committed to ending their ridiculous DEI policies, admitting students based ONLY on MERIT, and tecting the Civil Liberties of their students on campus

Additionally, Nevertheless, ” The president also comm Columbia “for agreeing to do what is right,” and added, “I look forward to watching them have a great future in our Country

At the same time, ”What Has Columbia University’s Leadership Said

In a statement, the university’s acting president, Claire Shipman, said the agreement will help end “a period of considerable institutional uncertainty,” and added: “The resolution will allow the University to move forward with clarity and focus—returning our full attention to the work of teaching, discovery, and public service

It will also enable all of us to turn our attention to mending and rebuilding our community, in light of current trends

Meanwhile, ”Who Is The Independent Monitor Set To Oversee The Implementation Of The Deal

Moreover, At the same time, Both sides have already agreed to a independent monitor to oversee Columbia’s implementation of the deal

According to the Resolution Agreement document published by the university, Bart M

Schwartz, who is the former chief of the criminal division of the U

Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, will serve in the role, in light of current trends

Schwartz currently serves as the chairman of the crisis management and risk compliance consulting firm Guidepost Solutions, which he co-founded, in today's market environment

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