**Cornell University Agrees to $60 Million Settlement to Restore Federal Funding Amid Civil Rights Investigations**
*WASHINGTON (AP)* — Cornell University has agreed to pay $60 million and accept the Trump administration’s interpretation of civil rights laws in order to restore federal funding and end investigations into the Ivy League school.
Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff announced the agreement on Friday, highlighting that it upholds the university’s academic freedom while restoring more than $250 million in research funding withheld amid government probes into alleged civil rights violations.
He noted the government’s funding freeze had stalled research, disrupted careers, and threatened the future of academic programs at Cornell.
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**Details of the Agreement**
The university will pay $30 million directly to the U.S. government and contribute another $30 million towards research initiatives supporting U.S. farmers. This latest agreement follows similar deals struck between the Trump administration and other elite colleges accused of tolerating antisemitism and promoting far-left ideologies.
Currently, Trump remains in a standoff with Harvard University and has recently pursued an incentive-based approach. This strategy offers preferential federal funding access to schools willing to align with his political agenda.
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**University Response**
Kotlikoff stated that the agreement revitalizes Cornell’s partnership with the federal government “while affirming the university’s commitment to the principles of academic freedom, independence, and institutional autonomy that, from our founding, have been integral to our excellence.”
The six-page agreement resembles one signed by the University of Virginia last month. It is shorter and less prescriptive than agreements made with Columbia University and Brown University.
Cornell’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) commented that the deal “omits many of the worst provisions” found in agreements with other colleges. Still, the chapter expressed concerns that Cornell’s deal poses a threat to academic freedom and extends beyond legal requirements.
David Bateman, chapter president, said in an interview, “One of the major concerns with these agreements generally has been, if you make a deal with somebody when they’re just extorting you, well, that only encourages future extortion.”
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**Compliance and Policy Changes**
Under the agreement, Cornell must comply with the government’s interpretation of civil rights laws concerning antisemitism, racial discrimination, and transgender issues.
A Justice Department memo directing colleges to abandon diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and transgender-friendly policies will serve as a training resource for Cornell’s faculty and staff.
Additionally, Cornell is required to provide extensive admissions data to verify that race is no longer considered in admissions decisions, following a 2023 Supreme Court ruling that ended affirmative action in admissions.
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**Comments from Officials**
Education Secretary Linda McMahon described the deal as a “transformative commitment” focusing on “merit, rigor, and truth-seeking.” She called the reforms “a huge win in the fight to restore excellence to American higher education and make our schools the greatest in the world,” speaking on X (formerly Twitter).
Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the importance of adherence to federal civil rights laws for colleges receiving federal funding. She stated, “Colleges that receive federal funding must fully adhere to federal civil rights laws and ensure that harmful DEI policies do not discriminate against students.”
Cornell’s president is required to personally certify compliance with the agreement each quarter. The deal is effective through the end of 2028.
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**Context and Additional Information**
This agreement represents a middle ground on the controversial practice of schools making payments directly to the government to exit federal scrutiny. For comparison:
– Columbia University agreed to pay $200 million directly to the government.
– Brown University agreed to pay $50 million to state workforce organizations.
– The University of Virginia reached an agreement without any payment.
The $30 million agriculture investment will be distributed over three years, targeting programs that integrate artificial intelligence and robotics to support research aimed at reducing costs for U.S. farmers. Cornell, founded as a land-grant school, has deep historical ties to American agriculture.
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**University’s Position and Concerns**
Kotlikoff was among hundreds of university presidents who signed an April letter opposing “unprecedented government overreach and political interference” from the Trump administration.
He emphasized that Cornell was not found in violation of federal law and that the agreement would preserve the campus’ independence. “In short, it recognizes our rights, as a private university, to define the conditions on our campuses that advance learning and produce new knowledge,” he wrote.
However, Cornell’s AAUP chapter expressed concerns over several provisions. They warned the agreement invites future federal intrusion through ongoing requirements to share enrollment data and conduct campus surveys on antisemitism. The chapter also criticized the $30 million payment to the government as “extortion plain and simple.”
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