Columbia University discusses its federal funding with Trump’s government

(MENAFN) Columbia University is reportedly in talks with the Trump administration to restore at least part of its suspended federal funding, according to individuals familiar with the matter.

Sources revealed that the university’s board of trustees held a meeting on Sunday to discuss terms of a possible agreement. Recent drafts of the proposal under negotiation no longer include a consent decree, which had previously been considered by a government task force.

Such a decree would have placed Columbia under the oversight of a federal judge to ensure compliance with federal policies, particularly in relation to addressing antisemitism on campus.
Instead, current discussions are leaning toward the appointment of a monitor or independent observer who would have less authority than a judge but would still be responsible for overseeing the university's actions, as reported.

Those familiar with the ongoing negotiations said the deal would likely include the reinstatement of at least some of the revoked federal funds. However, they cautioned that the terms remain under discussion and there is still a chance the agreement may not materialize.

Columbia has been locked in a months-long dispute with the administration over its federal funding and its institutional independence. In March, the government withdrew $400 million in grants and contracts, accusing the university of failing to safeguard Jewish students in the wake of pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus.

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