Ivy League Institution Bows to Government Demands
Cornell University has reached a significant settlement with the Trump administration, becoming the fifth American higher education institution to bow to government pressure in recent investigations. The agreement, announced on Friday, will see more than $250 million in federal research funding restored to the prestigious Ivy League university.
The Terms of the Agreement
In exchange for the restored funding, Cornell has agreed to several substantial concessions. The university will share admissions data with the government, pay $30 million directly, and invest an additional $30 million in research programmes specifically benefiting farmers. This agricultural focus reflects Cornell's longstanding commitment to farming research.
The settlement also requires Cornell to continuously evaluate campus climate, with particular attention to Jewish students. Crucially, the university has affirmed the Trump administration's interpretation of civil rights laws, which views diversity initiatives as unlawful race-based discrimination.
Broader Implications for Higher Education
Cornell joins Columbia, Brown, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Virginia in reaching similar agreements with the administration. These settlements have drawn widespread criticism from academic circles, with many accusing the government of overreach and universities of capitulating to political pressure.
The Trump administration has utilised allegations of antisemitism on campus, particularly following mass student protests against Israel's war in Gaza, as justification for investigating dozens of universities. Critics argue that landmark anti-discrimination legislation is being weaponised to force through reforms that extend far beyond addressing antisemitism.
Michael I Kotlikoff, Cornell's new president, defended the decision, stating that the agreement preserves the university's independence. "The agreement explicitly recognises Cornell's right to independently establish our policies and procedures, choose whom to hire and admit, and determine what we teach, without intrusive government monitoring or approvals," he wrote in an official statement.
Meanwhile, hundreds of students and faculty members across the United States have protested, urging university leaders to reject what the administration calls a "compact" that would grant preferential funding access in exchange for policy alignment with anti-diversity priorities.
