Cornell University struck a deal with the Trump administration that will restore hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding, ending a civil rights investigation following allegations of antisemitism on campus.
“The decades-long research partnership between Cornell and the federal government is critical to advancing the university’s core mission and to our continuing contributions to the nation’s health, welfare, and economic and military strength,” university president Michael I. Kotlikoff said in a statement.
“This agreement revives that partnership, while affirming the university’s commitment to the principles of academic freedom, independence, and institutional autonomy that, from our founding, have been integral to our excellence.”
The Ivy League school agreed to fork over $30 million to the government and invest an additional $30 million into its agriculture and farming efficiency programs, for which the Ithaca, New York-based college is known.
In April, the federal government suddenly froze $1 billion in funding — largely in grants and contracts with the departments of Agriculture, Defense, Education and Health and Human Services — to Cornell following accusations of racial discrimination and antisemitism.
School officials said the move caused significant financial strain — and that they were preparing to lay off employees and considering issuing $1 billion in bonds, according to the New York Times.
“The months of stop-work orders, grant terminations, and funding freezes have stalled cutting-edge research, upended lives and careers, and threatened the future of academic programs at Cornell,” Kotlikoff said.
“I am grateful for the dedication and resilience of the faculty, staff, and students who have found ways to continue moving critical work forward throughout these unprecedented events.”
The university said the agreement with the government “explicitly recognizes” Cornell’s right to establish its own policies, procedures and curriculum.
Leave a Reply