Brown University has entered into an agreement with the administration of President Donald Trump in an effort to restore their frozen federal funding. This marks the third Ivy League campus to make a deal with the president and abide by his requirements.
Under the agreement, Brown will allocate $50m over the next 10 years to enhance workforce development programs in Rhode Island. The university also pledges to support its local Jewish community and restrict acknowledgment of transgender students.
This development is aligned with the broader campaign led by the Trump administration, aiming to withhold federal funds from elite universities to combat “woke” ideology and address anti-Semitism. Critics argue that the administration’s actions are politically motivated and at odds with reality, but acknowledge that many administrators are pressured to submit due to funding constraints.
Similar deals have been struck by the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University with Trump. The University of Pennsylvania agreed to adopt Trump’s stance on transgender athletes, while Columbia had to pay a $200m settlement and meet multiple demands regarding admissions and hiring. The administration had cut funds and initiated investigations against all three schools.
In a statement, Brown President Christina Paxson maintained that the deal does not compromise the university’s academic independence. A key provision in the agreement ensures that the government cannot dictate curriculum or academic speech at Brown, preserving the university’s autonomy.
However, the agreement carries similarities to the contentious Columbia University deal, particularly concerning measures to address alleged anti-Semitism following protests against Israel’s war in Gaza. Critics claim that the Trump administration intentionally misrepresents these demonstrations to silence pro-Palestine voices.
Under the terms of the agreement, Brown must “support a thriving Jewish community, research and education about Israel, and a robust Program in Judaic Studies.” The university is also obligated to conduct a survey ensuring a welcoming campus climate for Jewish students and faculty.
Further aligning with Trump’s priorities, the agreement opposes the inclusion of transgender people in campus housing and sports teams based on their gender identity. The president has issued an executive order recognizing only two sexes, male and female, rejecting trans identity.
The school also agreed to provide extensive data on applicants and admitted students, including race, grades, and test scores for a “comprehensive audit.” This move is intended to eliminate the use of any “proxy for
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/30/brown-university-strikes-50m-deal-to-end-trump-administration-pressure?traffic_source=rss
