Columbia nears deal with Trump administration to regain federal funds

Columbia University

Columbia University’s board of trustees is moving closer to a deal with the Trump administration that could partially restore the school’s federal funding, which was revoked earlier this year following accusations that the university failed to protect Jewish students during pro-Palestinian campus protests, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Consent decree off the table—for now

According to people familiar with the matter, recent versions of the proposed agreement do not include a consent decree—an arrangement initially sought by federal officials that would have placed Columbia under the oversight of a federal judge. Instead, discussions have shifted toward a more limited form of external supervision, such as an outside monitor or observer, who would have fewer powers than a court-appointed authority.

While the talks remain fluid and could still collapse, the latest terms reportedly include the restoration of at least some portion of the $400 million in federal research grants and contracts that were suspended in March.

Federal pressure escalated since March

The Trump administration cut Columbia’s funding after a months-long standoff, citing the university’s alleged failure to respond adequately to antisemitic incidents during campus protests. In May, a federal investigation concluded that the university had violated the civil rights of Jewish students, triggering a formal notice of violation—often a precursor to either legal action or a negotiated resolution.

Since then, the administration has pushed for stronger oversight of Columbia’s campus policies. In response, the university has already agreed to a number of concessions, including limiting the use of masks on campus, expanding the authority of campus police to arrest students, and creating a senior vice provost position with oversight of departments focused on Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African studies.

However, these concessions did not lead to a restoration of federal funds, and negotiations have continued in the background for weeks.

Columbia pushes to preserve academic independence

Despite the high stakes, Columbia’s leadership has insisted it will not compromise on certain principles. In a June 12 statement, acting President Claire Shipman said that maintaining institutional autonomy was non-negotiable.

“We must maintain our autonomy and independent governance,” Shipman said. “We decide who teaches at our institution, what they teach and which students we admit.”

This insistence on academic independence has been a sticking point in the negotiations. While Columbia has shown some willingness to accept an external monitor, it has resisted any arrangement that would hand enforcement power to the courts.

Jewish alumni group criticizes potential compromise

Some members of Columbia’s Jewish community have expressed disappointment that a court-enforced consent decree may no longer be on the table. Ari Shrage, co-founder of the Columbia Jewish Alumni Association, said he expected stronger measures to overhaul campus policies and expressed frustration with the direction of the negotiations.

“I’m shocked that Trump’s advisers would be willing to capitulate and make the president look so weak,” Shrage said. He also called for reforms in how the university handles student discipline and a broader ideological range within the faculty.

Political stakes remain high

The dispute between Columbia and the Trump administration is one of the most high-profile battles in the broader conflict between elite universities and federal authorities over speech, safety, and campus governance. For Trump, who has made campus antisemitism a key issue, the Columbia case represents both a political flashpoint and a potential model for future federal interventions.

Even if an agreement is reached in the coming days, it’s likely to leave both sides unsatisfied—and could set the stage for further confrontations over academic freedom, protest rights, and federal authority on US campuses.