Columbia College has agreed to pay $200 million over the following 3 years to unravel claims it discriminated towards Jewish scholars — an settlement the college stated will repair masses of hundreds of thousands of greenbacks in federal grants the Trump management had terminated or paused previous this 12 months.
“Whilst Columbia does no longer admit to wrongdoing with this answer settlement, the establishment’s leaders have known, time and again, that Jewish scholars and school have skilled painful, unacceptable incidents, and that reform used to be and is wanted,” the college stated in a commentary.
As well as, the varsity agreed to pay $21 million to settle investigations introduced by way of the U.S. Equivalent Employment Alternative Fee.
Columbia additionally agreed to post to a federal observe that can guarantee compliance with admissions and hiring practices and supply sure details about overseas scholars to immigration government.
The settlement places an finish to a months-long dispute with the Trump management over federal investment.
In March, the Trump management stated it used to be canceling $400 million price of grants and contracts to the college bringing up what it known as “the varsity’s endured inactiveness within the face of chronic harassment of Jewish scholars.”
Later that month, the college agreed to 9 calls for from the Trump management, together with banning mask and stricter controls over its Heart East research division.
The college stated the settlement introduced Wednesday builds on steps it up to now took as a part of negotiations with the management and “builds on Columbia’s broader dedication to fighting antisemitism.”
Because of the settlement, the college stated “a overwhelming majority” of the federal grants that have been terminated or paused in March could be reinstated and that “Columbia’s get admission to to billions of greenbacks in present and long term grants might be restored.” That comes with grants terminated by way of the Nationwide Institutes of Well being and the Division of Well being and Human Products and services.
Previous this week, the varsity stated it used to be disciplining greater than 70 scholars over two pro-Palestinian protests at the campus within the spring — together with a protest in Would possibly when scholars took over Butler Library.
The campus used to be roiled by way of protests closing spring over the Israel-Hamas conflict. In overdue April 2024, pro-Palestinian protesters barricaded themselves inside of Hamilton Corridor, resulting in a number of arrests. The scholars concerned have been later expelled, suspended or had their levels briefly revoked.This can be a growing tale. Please test again for updates.
