Brown University has agreed to a $50 million payment to Rhode Island workforce development organizations to settle federal investigations into alleged discrimination and regain lost research funding. The deal, mirroring a similar agreement with Columbia University, involves Brown adopting the government's definition of sex, removing race from admissions, and conducting a campus climate survey for Jewish students. While the university maintains its academic independence, the agreement includes data disclosure and government audit provisions. The settlement ends three federal investigations without admitting wrongdoing, but raises concerns about government overreach in higher education.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.