Columbia University Pays $221M Largest Federal Religious Discrimination Settlement

Columbia University has agreed to a historic $221 million settlement with the Trump administration to resolve multiple civil rights investigations into antisemitism on its campus. This includes a $200 million fine to the U.S. Treasury and a $21 million settlement with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the largest such settlement in the EEOC's 60-year history, aimed at compensating Jewish faculty, staff, and janitors who faced harassment and discrimination. The settlement follows allegations that the university failed to confront antisemitic actions, including an incident in April 2024 where two janitors were held hostage and terrorized by anti-Israel protesters. Columbia denies wrongdoing but has agreed to policy changes monitored by a federal overseer, sparking debate about academic freedom and the impact on other institutions under investigation. The university has pledged to end its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices and combat antisemitism in exchange for the restoration of $400 million in frozen federal grants and continued federal funding. The deal marks a significant moment in addressing antisemitism in higher education, though questions remain about the long-term effectiveness of the reforms.