News Summary
Brown University has finalized a $50 million agreement with the Trump administration to restructure its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. In exchange, the federal government will restore federal funding and lift a freeze on health grants. Key stipulations include adherence to non-discrimination in admissions and the prohibition of gender reassignment surgeries on minors. This settlement is considered a significant shift in federal funding policies for higher education, contrasting with a previous agreement with Columbia University, which faced financial penalties.
Providence, Rhode Island – The Trump administration has finalized a $50 million agreement with Brown University aimed at restoring federal funding while restructuring the university’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. This arrangement is notable as it marks the second significant academic settlement under this administration following a broader $221 million agreement with Columbia University.
Under the terms of the deal, Brown University will dismantle various DEI initiatives. In return, the federal government will lift a freeze on grants from the Department of Health and Human Services, reinstating the university’s eligibility for future federal funding while simultaneously closing all ongoing investigations against Brown. The university, which has faced financial difficulties, secured a more favorable settlement compared to Columbia, which incurred substantial financial penalties.
In a significant aspect of the agreement, Brown will allocate $50 million in grants over the next decade to support workforce development organizations in Rhode Island. The university’s president highlighted that it will not make any direct payments or fines to the federal government as part of this deal.
This agreement diverges significantly from Columbia’s settlement, which included a payment of $200 million to the U.S. Treasury along with an additional $21 million to resolve investigations related to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Brown’s leadership reiterated the voluntary nature of the agreement, clarifying it does not permit the federal government to dictate the university’s curriculum or dictate academic speech content.
Key stipulations of the agreement emphasize that Brown University must refrain from engaging in unlawful racial discrimination within its admissions processes and programming. Moreover, the university is mandated to grant the federal government access to critical data concerning admissions and potential programming discrimination. Additional requirements include adopting clear definitions of “male” and “female” for use in women’s athletics, facilities, and housing, in accordance with an executive order from President Trump. The university is also prohibited from conducting gender reassignment surgeries on minors or administering puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones at its health facilities.
Furthermore, the agreement outlines steps to enhance the university’s campus climate for Jewish students, addressing previously raised concerns about antisemitism. The university stated that a majority of these provisions align with its existing policies and practices.
The Trump administration has previously communicated that more than $500 million in grant money was contingent upon Brown’s compliance with federal standards regarding DEI policies and the management of allegations surrounding antisemitism on campus. The administration views this agreement as a critical step to counteract what they describe as the “woke-capture” of higher education institutions nationally.
Following the Columbia agreement, the Trump administration looks to utilize this settlement as a framework for negotiations with other universities, including Cornell University. Investigations into Duke University and its programs have also commenced. While ongoing legal negotiations with Harvard University persist, indications suggest the institution may be open to settling a potential half-billion-dollar agreement.
Overall, the agreement signals a decisive shift in the federal government’s approach to college funding, focusing on institutional compliance with specific policies. With President Trump congratulating Brown University on its settlement, he asserted that the influence of “woke” ideology had been significantly curtailed at the institution. Education Secretary Linda McMahon reinforced that the administration remains committed to ensuring that students are evaluated solely based on their individual merits while reinforcing protections against discrimination and harassment in educational environments.
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Additional Resources
- New York Times
- Wikipedia: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- CNN
- Google Search: Brown University Trump Agreement
- Fox News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Trump Administration
- ABC News
- Google News: Brown University Federal Funding
- The Guardian
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PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
