Cornell University has reached an agreement with the Trump administration to regain the $1 billion in federal funding that was withdrawn in April.
This resolution comes after the Ivy League institution faced allegations of civil rights violations, linked to anti-Israel protests and affirmative action policies.
According to the Daily Caller, Cornell has committed to paying $30 million over three years to the federal government, alongside providing data to demonstrate that its admissions process is free from racial discrimination. Additionally, the university will allocate another $30 million over the same period toward research grants aimed at bolstering U.S. agriculture and enhancing farm productivity.
Cornell President Michael I. Kotlikoff expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, I am pleased that our good faith discussions with the White House, Department of Justice, and Department of Education have concluded with an agreement that acknowledges the governments commitment to enforce existing anti-discrimination law, while protecting our academic freedom and institutional independence. This agreement allows Cornell to resume its educational and research activities in collaboration with federal agencies.
The terms of the deal stipulate that Cornell must provide quarterly updates on its civil rights compliance and conduct annual campus climate surveys to safeguard Jewish students, as reported by a White House official to the DCNF. In return, the university has regained its eligibility for grant funding and can apply for new grants. Furthermore, several ongoing investigations into Cornell's civil rights practices have been closed.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon highlighted the significance of the agreement, stating on X, The Trump Administration has secured another transformative commitment from an Ivy League institution to end divisive DEI policies. Thanks to this deal with Cornell and the ongoing work of DOJ, HHS, and the team at ED, U.S. universities are refocusing their attention on merit, rigor, and truth-seeking not ideology. These reforms are a huge win in the fight to restore excellence to American higher education and make our schools the greatest in the world.
Both parties have pledged to maintain the university's academic freedom, ensuring that Cornell can continue to operate independently while adhering to federal anti-discrimination laws. This development marks a significant step in the ongoing dialogue between higher education institutions and the federal government, emphasizing a commitment to merit-based policies and the protection of individual freedoms.
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