Trump Administration Wants to Install Federal Oversight of Columbia University [View all]

https://www.wsj.com/us-news/education/columbia-consent-decree-trump-federal-funding-2f4c4690

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https://archive.li/s6lRc

The Trump administration is planning to pursue a legal arrangement that would put Columbia University into a consent decree, according to people familiar with the matter, an extraordinary step that could significantly escalate the pressure on the school as it battles for federal funding.

A consent decree, which can last for years, would give a federal judge responsibility for ensuring Columbia changes its practices along lines laid out by the federal government. If such a decree is in place, Columbia would have to comply with it. If a judge determines the school is out of compliance, it could be held in contempt of court—punishable by penalties including fines.

Columbia is negotiating with the Trump administration to reinstate federal funding. Last month, the government canceled $400 million in grants and contracts over antisemitism concerns. Columbia agreed to an initial set of demands and is in negotiations about the future of its federal funding.

A consent decree would be a major escalation of how the federal government normally resolves education-related civil-rights issues. Typically after federal lawyers investigate and find evidence that civil rights were violated, schools enter voluntary agreements to change their practices. The federal government has little ability to enforce such agreements. The Biden administration entered into such voluntary agreements over antisemitism concerns with Brown University and Rutgers.

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