Columbia University Settles $200 Million Federal Probe to Restore Funding

Columbia University has reached a $200 million settlement with the U.S. government to resolve federal investigations, the university's acting president announced. This agreement ends a phase of institutional uncertainty and restores vital federal funding previously suspended by the Trump administration due to concerns over anti-Semitism and protests.

The settlement comes after the Trump administration penalized Columbia by canceling $400 million in federal aid, citing insufficient action against alleged harassment of Jewish and Israeli community members. Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated that Columbia will implement disciplinary actions for student disruptions and adjust hiring and academic decision-making policies.

In addition to resolving federal probes, Columbia settled with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for $21 million. The resolution includes appointing an administrator to oversee the accord over three years, while maintaining the university's autonomy in faculty and admissions decisions. Critics of the government's actions argue that opposition to Zionism was misrepresented as anti-Semitism.

(With inputs from agencies.)