TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Columbia University will pay US$200 million to the U.S. federal government to recover most of the federal funds previously withheld by the Trump administration.
As reported by Politico, the settlement was reached to end federal investigations into alleged civil rights violations stemming from student protests linked to the Israeli genocide in Gaza at Columbia's campus in New York.
In its statement on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, Columbia said the settlement will be paid over three years, and includes the recovery of access to previously frozen federal grants.
"A vast majority of the federal grants which were terminated or paused in March 2025 — will be reinstated and Columbia’s access to billions of dollars in current and future grants will be restored," wrote the university.
Pressured by Trump, Columbia Concedes
The Trump administration withdrew about US$400 million in federal funds from Columbia University last March. The decision was made after the university was accused of failing to address alleged harassment against Jewish students. Columbia then agreed to a number of requests from the government.
The agreement also includes the establishment of an independent monitor to be co-selected with the government.
The monitor is tasked with overseeing the university's compliance with federal law regarding student admissions, staff recruitment, and the management of international students.
Columbia University said this agreement will maintain their academic autonomy.
Acknowledging the Need for Reform
Columbia emphasizes that they did not admit to any wrongdoing with the agreement but recognized that Jewish students and staff have experienced unacceptable and painful incidents. Leaders of the institution also recognized that "reform was and is needed," as quoted from NBC News.
In addition to the US$200 million payment, Columbia also agreed to pay US$21 million to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to settle a separate investigation into employment discrimination.
Trump Emerges Victorious
Donald Trump greeted the agreement with enthusiasm. In his post on Truth Social, he wrote, "Numerous other Higher Education Institutions that have hurt so many, and been so unfair and unjust, and have wrongly spent federal money, much of it from our government, are upcoming."
According to NBC News, Trump shows no signs of stopping his pressure on large universities in the U.S.
U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon called the agreement a major shift in efforts to hold campuses accountable. "Columbia's reforms are a roadmap for elite universities that wish to regain the confidence of the American public," she said.
Impact on the Academic World
Since the genocide in Gaza escalated in October 2023, American campuses have been filled with waves of anti-Israel student protests. Columbia University pioneered pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the United States, which some consider anti-Semitic and others see as an expression of academic freedom.
Claire Shipman, Acting President of Columbia, admitted that the US$221 million value in this settlement is a heavy burden. However, she said, the threat of losing top scientists and the total freezing of federal funds worth US$1.3 billion every year would jeopardize Columbia's status as a leading research center in the world.
Editor’s Choice: Columbia University Suspends, Expels 80 Students for Gaza Genocide Protests
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Today's Top 3 News: Trump Threatens New Strikes on Iran's Nuclear Facilities
10 menit lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
Trump Administration Launches Action Plan to Rival China in AI Dominance
29 menit lalu
Trump releases America's AI Action Plan to accelerate the U.S. dominance in artificial intelligence technology and to rival China's global influence.
No Forced Personal Data Transfer to U.S., Says Minister Airlangga
1 jam lalu
Minister Airlangga has asserted that there will be no transfer of Indonesian citizens' personal data to the United States.
Trade Deal: US Exports to Indonesia Won't Be Subject to Local Content Requirements
1 jam lalu
The White House states that Indonesia is committed to liberating U.S. products from local content requirements.
124 Jordanian Aid Trucks Enter Gaza This Week as Starvation Worsens
2 jam lalu
UN official said on Wednesday that 294 Palestinians were killed by Israel while attempting to collect humanitarian aid since June 30.
Top 10 Countries That Rely on Tourism, From the U.S. to Japan
3 jam lalu
Top countries that rely on tourism push the boundaries of what's possible in the sector, successfully generating trillions in economic contributions.
WHO Warns of "Man-Made" Mass Starvation in Gaza
3 jam lalu
WHO has warned that Gaza is facing mass starvation as a result of human actions, following Israel's blockade and limited access to humanitarian aid.
Indonesian Data Transfers to US Permitted Under Legitimate Interest, Says Minister
3 jam lalu
Minister of Communication and Digital, Meutya Viada Hafid, speaks about personal data transfer in the U.S.-Indonesia trade deal.
111 NGOs Warn of Spreading Mass Famine in Gaza
4 jam lalu
International pressure on Israel is mounting due to the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Palestine.
Trump Threatens New Strikes on Iran's Nuclear Facilities
6 jam lalu
U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Washington could strike Iran's nuclear facilities again if necessary.
