SECURING A LANDMARK AGREEMENT WITH CORNELL UNIVERSITY: Today, President Donald J. Trump announced a groundbreaking agreement with Cornell University aimed at reinstating accountability and ensuring fairness in the realm of higher education.
- The settlement mandates that Cornell adhere to Federal civil rights legislation and abolish any illicit racial discrimination in its admissions processes or academic offerings. The university will grant the Federal government access to all pertinent data to conduct thorough evaluations of its commitment to merit-based admissions.
- Cornell will face a $30 million financial penalty to be paid to the United States, disbursed in equal installments over three years.
- Additionally, Cornell will allocate $30 million towards research initiatives designed to directly benefit U.S. farmers, also distributed in equal installments over three years.
- The university is required to perform annual campus climate assessments to safeguard Jewish students and actively combat anti-Semitism.
- This agreement reinstates all Federal grants to Cornell, reestablishes its eligibility for future funding opportunities, and resolves ongoing investigations under Title VI and Title IX.
- However, investigations related to Title VII concerning alleged discriminatory employment practices at Cornell remain unresolved and are not included in this settlement.
- The president of Cornell must certify quarterly, under the risk of perjury, that the university fully complies with all aspects of this agreement, including adherence to Title VI, Title IX, and other civil rights statutes. Cornell has agreed to utilize the Department of Justice’s July 2025 “Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding Regarding Unlawful Discrimination” as a training tool for its faculty and staff.
TACKLING DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES AT CORNELL: The Trump Administration has taken decisive steps to address concerns regarding breaches of Federal civil rights laws, thereby protecting students and reinforcing fairness in higher education.
- This settlement follows significant public outcry regarding incidents at Cornell, alongside civil rights investigations into the university’s alleged discriminatory practices based on race and national origin.
- Cornell’s established policies and practices—including alleged reliance on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) metrics in faculty recruitment, racial identity-based scholarships, and reported anti-Semitic discrimination in campus initiatives—have raised serious concerns about equitable access and potential violations of Federal law.
- In securing this settlement, the Trump Administration aims to ensure that Cornell adheres to merit-based principles, complies with Federal regulations, and promotes an environment of academic integrity and safety for all students.
PROMOTING REFORMS IN HIGHER EDUCATION: President Trump is holding elite academic institutions accountable, ensuring they prioritize fairness, merit, and core American values.
- The Administration has challenged prestigious universities such as Harvard, Columbia, Brown, and Cornell for their alleged discriminatory practices against students and staff, as well as their failure to protect students from violent anti-Semitism.
- The Administration has also successfully negotiated a resolution with the University of Pennsylvania regarding the exclusion of men from women’s sports, ensuring the restoration of women’s athletic achievements.
- President Trump has achieved significant settlements, including over $200 million with Columbia University and $50 million with Brown University, to address claims of discriminatory conduct, marking notable victories for accountability within academia.
