Columbia University Agrees to Pay $220 Million to Restore Federal Funding

Columbia University, established in 1754 as King’s College, is a private Ivy League research university located in the heart of Upper Manhattan, New York City—making it one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher education in the United States[4]. Renamed Columbia College after the American Revolution, the university moved to its present Morningside Heights campus in 1896 and has since grown into a global academic powerhouse[4]. Columbia’s mission centers on advancing knowledge through research, teaching, and public engagement. The university’s academic structure includes three undergraduate schools (Columbia College, the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, and the School of General Studies) and sixteen graduate and professional schools, spanning fields from journalism and law to business and medicine[3][4]. Columbia is especially renowned for its rigorous Core Curriculum, which emphasizes interdisciplinary liberal arts education, critical thinking, and engagement with classic texts[2]. The university’s location in New York City serves as an extended classroom, offering students unparalleled access to internships, research opportunities, and cultural experiences[2]. Key achievements include the establishment of the Pulitzer Prize, which Columbia administers annually, and its role as a founding member of the Association of American Universities[4]. The university boasts a distinguished alumni network, including U.S. presidents, Nobel laureates, Supreme Court justices, and leaders in business, technology, and the arts[3]. Columbia’s research initiatives are equally impressive, with major facilities such as the Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory and partnerships with tech giants like Amazon and IBM[4]. Currently, Columbia is ranked among the top 25 universities globally, with a 3.9% acceptance rate and a 95% placement rate for graduates, many of whom secure positions at leading firms such as Google, Amazon, and Goldman Sachs[1]. The student body is highly diverse, with representation from over 100 countries and a strong commitment to inclusion[1][6].

The **Trump administration** refers to the executive branch of the U.S. federal government during Donald J. Trump’s presidency, initially from January 20, 2017, to January 20, 2021, and resuming with his second term starting in 2025. It was characterized by a mix of aggressive domestic policies, significant judicial appointments, and a distinct foreign policy approach that emphasized "America First" principles[4][8]. The administration’s key activities included **tax reform**, notably passing the $3.2 trillion Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which represented the largest overhaul of the U.S. tax code in decades[5]. Trump also renegotiated trade agreements with major economies including Mexico, Canada, China, Japan, and South Korea, prioritizing bilateral deals over multilateral ones such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which the administration withdrew from early on[1][2]. The administration sought to protect American jobs by restricting cheap foreign labor and influencing agencies like the Tennessee Valley Authority to retain American workers[5]. On the judicial front, the Trump administration appointed over 200 federal judges, including three Supreme Court justices—Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett—shaping the judiciary for years to come[4]. These appointments were among the most significant achievements, influencing U.S. law on multiple fronts. In foreign policy, the administration pursued a controversial agenda: it imposed travel bans on several predominantly Muslim countries, withdrew U.S. troops from northern Syria, and supported Saudi Arabia militarily despite congressional opposition related to the Yemen conflict[1][3]. It also fostered new international technology alliances, such as securing commitments from allies to exclude Chinese telecom giant Huawei from 5G infrastructure and signing AI cooperation agreements with the UK[5]. The Trump administration faced substantial political turmoil, including two impeachments by the House of Representatives—first in 2019 over Ukraine dealings, and again in 2021 following the January

The **United States Department of Education (ED)** is a cabinet-level federal agency established in 1980 to oversee national education policy and administer funding programs. It was created by splitting the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare into two separate entities under the Department of Education Organization Act signed by President Jimmy Carter. The department’s mission is to promote educational excellence and ensure equal access to education for all students across the country[1][2]. ED supports state and local education systems by providing grants, loans, and resources aimed at improving educational outcomes. It administers critical programs such as the Title I program, which allocates over $18 billion to districts serving low-income students, and IDEA funding of $14.2 billion to support education for students with disabilities. Additionally, ED manages the federal student loan program, serving over 42 million borrowers, facilitating higher education access and economic growth[3]. With a 2024 budget of approximately $268 billion—about 4% of total federal spending—the Department of Education is relatively small in staff, employing around 4,000 people, but plays a vital role in shaping education policy and equity. Its structure includes eight principal operating components, such as the Institute of Education Sciences, which conducts research to inform evidence-based practices, and the Office for Civil Rights, which enforces laws ensuring equal access to education[1][4]. Historically, the department faced political challenges, notably during the Trump administration when efforts to reduce its size and influence were legally contested but partially upheld by the Supreme Court. Despite such challenges, ED continues to be essential in fostering educational equity, accountability, and innovation nationwide. It does not control local curricula or school operations, which remain under state and local jurisdiction, but it establishes federal guidelines and funding priorities that significantly impact educational standards and opportunities in the U.S[1][3][5]. For business and technology sectors, ED’s role in managing massive federal education funding and student loan programs, as well as its research into educationa