**Title:** White House Negotiates $100 Million Settlement with Cornell University
**Meta Description:** The White House is in talks for a $100 million settlement with Cornell University to restore frozen federal research funding amid ongoing investigations.
**URL Slug:** white-house-cornell-university-settlement
**Headline:** White House Negotiates Potential $100 Million Settlement with Cornell University to Restore Research Funding
The White House is currently engaged in negotiations with Cornell University regarding a potential settlement that could reach up to $100 million. This agreement aims to reinstate hundreds of millions of dollars in federal research funding that has been frozen. Sources familiar with the discussions, who requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the talks, suggest that an announcement could be made as early as next week.
One of the key points still under negotiation is whether the settlement will include a resolution monitor to oversee Cornell’s implementation of the changes mandated by the U.S. government. This arrangement was part of a significant $221 million deal reached with Columbia University last month.
If finalized, this agreement would position Cornell as the latest Ivy League institution to settle with the Trump administration, which is investigating U.S. colleges over allegations of mishandling antisemitic incidents on campus. This scrutiny intensified following the October 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel and the subsequent military response in Gaza. Recently, Brown University also announced a $50 million settlement with the government.
Cornell has refrained from commenting on the ongoing negotiations, which remain fluid and subject to change. While one source indicated that $100 million represents the upper limit of the settlement, another described it as being within that range. Education Secretary Linda McMahon has indicated that future settlements with universities are likely to follow the framework established by the Columbia agreement, which included financial penalties for civil rights violations and a comprehensive set of policy reforms.
In addition to the investigations into antisemitism, the administration has been advocating for the dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at colleges, citing concerns over political bias against conservative viewpoints. The government recently restored funding to the University of Pennsylvania after the institution agreed to limit the participation of transgender athletes in sports.
This broad initiative for change has raised alarms about potential infringements on academic freedom, with critics arguing that the government is attempting to leverage universities to promote its own agenda. Harvard University, a primary target of the administration’s pressure, has filed two lawsuits challenging the government’s efforts to freeze research funding and restrict international student enrollment.
The funding freeze has had significant repercussions for Cornell, which warned in June that the reduction in U.S. funding would necessitate “financial austerity in all areas.” Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff indicated that job cuts might be unavoidable, alongside restrictions on discretionary spending and hiring. Notably, Cornell’s $10.7 billion endowment is among the smaller funds within the Ivy League.
**FAQ Section:**
**Q: What is the purpose of the negotiations between the White House and Cornell University?**
A: The negotiations aim to reach a settlement that could restore hundreds of millions of dollars in frozen federal research funding to Cornell University, potentially amounting to $100 million.
