Columbia University has agreed to pay over $200 million to settle accusations made by the Trump administration. The accusations claimed that Columbia didn’t do enough to protect Jewish students from antisemitic harassment on campus, especially during pro-Palestinian protests in 2023–2024 related to the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Earlier this year, the Trump administration cut $400 million in federal funding to Columbia as punishment for not acting strongly against antisemitism. Now, with this settlement, Columbia will get back most of that funding and has promised to make serious changes to ensure student safety and follow federal laws.
What Sparked the Investigation?
In March 2025, the Trump administration started a federal investigation into Columbia. The investigation found that Jewish students were facing verbal abuse, threats, and isolation, especially after the Hamas attacks in Gaza in October 2023. Columbia became the first university to face such a big investigation under this policy, as the Trump administration began taking strict actions against antisemitism in universities.
What’s in the Settlement?
- Columbia will pay $200 million over three years to the U.S. government.
- It will also pay $21 million to settle a separate case with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
- Columbia did not admit it did anything wrong but agreed that antisemitism on campus is a serious issue.
- The university will keep control over its academic decisions.
What Changes Will Columbia Make?
To prevent future problems and show its commitment to student safety, Columbia will:
- Hire more campus safety officers with the power to arrest people.
- Appoint an independent monitor to check if the university is following the rules.
- Control campus protests more strictly, including banning protests inside buildings and requiring masked protesters to show ID.
- Recruit professors who specialize in Middle Eastern and Israel studies to provide balanced teaching.
- Appoint a special officer to handle Jewish student concerns.
- Make sure admissions and faculty hiring are fair and based on merit, in line with Supreme Court rules.
How People Are Reacting
The Trump administration sees this as a major win in its fight to stop antisemitism and control extreme campus activism. Columbia’s acting president said the university accepted the deal to protect its reputation and get back federal support.
However, many student groups supporting Palestine criticized the deal. They believe Columbia gave in to political pressure and is trying to shut down free speech and peaceful protest.
Read more: US Investigates Harvard’s Use of International Visas, Demands Report in One Week
Final Thoughts
This $200 million deal highlights how serious the U.S. government is about fighting antisemitism on college campuses. While Columbia will get most of its federal money back, it also faces big responsibilities to make sure all students feel safe and respected. The issue also shows how hard it is for universities to balance free speech, protests, and anti-discrimination laws in today’s politically divided environment.
Also Read:Â Why Did Harvard University Suddenly Decide to Negotiate with the Trump administration?
