When President Donald Trump declared that he was going to hold colleges and universities accountable for their various practices, he meant it.
While on the campaign trail, Trump made it abundantly clear that he was dismayed by the vehement protests on college campuses, several of which had become vehemently antisemitic in nature.
Ironically, Ivy League universities were amongst the worst offenders in this regard, as Harvard University and Columbia University both seemed to become de facto breeding grounds for pro-Hamas militants.
Indeed, Harvard has made several headlines from its ongoing dispute with Trump – a dispute that has become fairly costly.
However, Columbia was also an especially volatile epicenter of violent protests, as numerous “students” effectively took over broad swathes of the collegiate campus.
And now, rather surprisingly, Columbia has apparently just struck a deal with Trump, much to the amazement of various critics on multiple sides of the aisle.
And this deal is substantial.
According to a report from The Hill, Columbia has agreed to fork over $220M to the federal government, as well as terminate programs that “promote unlawful efforts to achieve race-based outcomes, quotes, diversity targets or similar efforts.”
In other words, Columbia is agreeing with the tenets of one of Trump’s most prominent executive orders – “Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing.”
This executive order, which was passed in January, makes it rather clear that federal funds may not be used for DEI initiatives.
On top of that, Columbia also wisely opted to teach Ivy League students a lesson they apparently declined to remember from preschool: Actions have consequences.
Which is precisely why the university has reportedly suspended or even expelled students who were especially antagonistic “protestors.”
“Our institution must focus on delivering on its academic mission for our community … And to create a thriving academic community, there must be respect for each other and the institution’s fundamental work, policies, and rules. Disruptions to academic activities are in violation of University policies and Rules, and such violations will necessarily generate consequences,” Columbia announced.
In essence, the deal that Columbia struck with Trump was not just any deal: Apparently, this deal may well serve as a template for other universities to follow.
That’s right, Columbia might actually provide a template … according to Department of Education (DOE) Secretary Linda McMahon.
“It was a comprehensive agreement that we were able to reach with Columbia, and it is our hope that this is going to be a template for other universities around the country,” McMahon proudly declared.
Frankly, the “template” that emerged from the agreement with Columbia University seems to be a very favorable step forward to ensure that all students and faculty feel safe.
Indeed, shortly before Trump won the election in 2024, the student newspaper at Columbia University highlighted the very real concerns with antisemitism on campus.
Sarit Greenwood is a rightfully concerned student, as evidenced in her previous remarks to the Columbia Spectator.
“To me, the encampment was a sign of like, ‘We’re not willing to talk. We’re just going to kind of sit here until the administration gives into our demands, or until we have to be taken away by the police. That was upsetting to me because that’s an indication of a community that’s not willing to face these issues in a respectful dialogue,” Greenwood mused.
Absolutely!
Now, given the veritable landmark agreement between Trump and Columbia, perhaps hardworking students, such as Ms. Greenwood, can make higher education in America great again.
Author: Jane Jones
