Trump administration proposes federal oversight deal for Columbia University

The proposed agreement would place Columbia under court-monitored reforms, barring the university from considering race in admissions and requiring efforts to promote viewpoint diversity among faculty, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Columbia’s board of trustees is reportedly undecided on whether to accept the proposal.

If the university declines, the Justice Department could pursue legal action that may result in similar oversight under stricter terms.

The university came under scrutiny in March when the government suspended $400 million in federal funding over alleged civil rights violations.

While Columbia initially agreed to some federal demands, it now faces more intensive negotiations that could affect future access to government funding.

A university spokesperson dismissed the reported proposal, calling it “based entirely on hearsay.”

Acting President Claire Shipman has said the university would reject any plan that undermines its independence.

Consent decrees, while rare in education, have been used in major government cases, including police reform and corporate mergers, the Journal noted.