Cornell University has agreed to pay a total of $60 million and adhere to the Trump administration's interpretation of civil rights laws in a recent agreement aimed at restoring federal funding and resolving ongoing investigations. The announcement was made by Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff, emphasizing that this resolution upholds the university’s academic freedom while returning over $250 million in research funding previously withheld by the government amid allegations of civil rights violations.
The settlement includes a direct payment of $30 million to the U.S. government and another $30 million dedicated to research initiatives supporting U.S. farmers. Kotlikoff expressed that the agreement facilitates the university's continued collaboration with federal authorities while reaffirming commitments to academic freedom and institutional autonomy.
Notably, the six-page agreement draws parallels to a recent deal made with the University of Virginia but is shorter and less prescriptive than those established with Columbia and Brown University. Under the deal, Cornell must implement the government's civil rights laws interpretation, specifically addressing antisemitism, racial discrimination, and transgender issues. This includes using a Justice Department memo that calls for the abandonment of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and transgender-friendly policies as a training resource for faculty and staff.
Additionally, the university will be required to provide extensive admissions data to ensure that race is not considered a factor in admissions decisions, following a 2023 Supreme Court ruling that abolished affirmative action in higher education. Education Secretary Linda McMahon hailed the agreement as a transformative move aimed at enhancing educational excellence across the country.
Cornell's president will personally certify compliance with the agreement every quarter, effective until the end of 2028. The agreement illustrates a complex negotiation process as institutions strive to navigate federal oversight while addressing contemporary civil rights concerns in educational settings.
The settlement includes a direct payment of $30 million to the U.S. government and another $30 million dedicated to research initiatives supporting U.S. farmers. Kotlikoff expressed that the agreement facilitates the university's continued collaboration with federal authorities while reaffirming commitments to academic freedom and institutional autonomy.
Notably, the six-page agreement draws parallels to a recent deal made with the University of Virginia but is shorter and less prescriptive than those established with Columbia and Brown University. Under the deal, Cornell must implement the government's civil rights laws interpretation, specifically addressing antisemitism, racial discrimination, and transgender issues. This includes using a Justice Department memo that calls for the abandonment of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and transgender-friendly policies as a training resource for faculty and staff.
Additionally, the university will be required to provide extensive admissions data to ensure that race is not considered a factor in admissions decisions, following a 2023 Supreme Court ruling that abolished affirmative action in higher education. Education Secretary Linda McMahon hailed the agreement as a transformative move aimed at enhancing educational excellence across the country.
Cornell's president will personally certify compliance with the agreement every quarter, effective until the end of 2028. The agreement illustrates a complex negotiation process as institutions strive to navigate federal oversight while addressing contemporary civil rights concerns in educational settings.
