Columbia University has agreed to pay $221 million (US$931.5 million) to the US government to settle an investigation into alleged discrimination and failure to address antisemitism on campus.
The agreement includes a $200 million payment to the federal government and $21 million to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to settle allegations of discrimination against Jewish employees following the 2023 Israel-Hamas conflict.
In return, Columbia will regain access to most federal research grants, including funds from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The university has also agreed to implement reforms such as ending its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) program, changing the definition of antisemitism, revising its Middle Eastern curriculum and appointing a new administrator.
President Donald Trump has called the agreement “historic,” while pro-Palestinian leaders and academics have denounced it as a betrayal of academic freedom and student activism.
The announcement comes a day after Columbia University took action against dozens of students involved in pro-Palestinian protests in May, including expulsions and revocation of degrees.
