Ohio State University President Ted Carter addressed the ongoing scrutiny faced by Ivy League institutions following Columbia University’s $221 million settlement with former President Donald Trump. Carter stated that these universities are now in ‘survival mode,’ a term that reflects the increased pressure on elite schools to address allegations of antisemitism on campus. This situation has emerged after the Trump administration resolved multiple civil rights investigations against Columbia, which included allegations of discriminatory practices and antisemitic employment discrimination against Jewish faculty after the Hamas attacks on Israel in October 2023.
Carter, speaking on CBS News’s Face the Nation, emphasized that Ohio State is not facing similar pressures. As a public institution, Oklahoma State maintains transparency in its operations, ensuring that the state of Ohio, its citizens, and the broader public can scrutinize its decisions. Carter noted that while other Ivy League leaders, such as Columbia’s Claire Shipman, are navigating complex challenges, Ohio State remains focused on its academic and institutional mission without facing the same level of scrutiny.
The Columbia settlement included $200 million over three years for alleged discriminatory practices and $21 million to settle claims of antisemitic employment discrimination. The White House described it as the largest antisemitism-related settlement in U.S. history, although Columbia characterized the deal as an agreement to address specific allegations without acknowledging broader patterns of discrimination. The agreement also restored billions in federal research funding and introduced an independent monitor to oversee campus reforms, including changes to protest rules and disciplinary authority, shifting it from individual faculty to administrators.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon praised the settlement, calling it a template for other universities to follow. She highlighted the importance of accountability in higher education, especially in light of the Trump administration’s actions, which included the suspension of federal funding to all Ivy League schools except for Penn and Dartmouth. This decision was based on ongoing investigations into anti-Israel protests at these institutions. The settlement with Columbia has set a precedent that other universities might adopt, signaling a potential shift in how institutions manage campus protests and address allegations of discrimination. The situation has sparked broader discussions about academic freedom, campus governance, and the role of federal oversight in higher education.