For Trump’s Harvard deal, $500 million is only starting point

The White House views a payment of $500 million by Harvard University as a floor in negotiations for a settlement, and the cost of a deal could climb far higher if the school doesn’t submit to government oversight provisions, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

- Nacha Cattan, Josh Wingrove and Nancy Cook, Tribune News Service

One of the Trump administration’s key demands is that Harvard allow a jointly approved resolution monitor to oversee compliance, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing confidential talks. Harvard must also commit to other oversight reforms to resolve multiple civil rights investigations and unfreeze $2.6 billion in federal research funding.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon has said she expects Columbia University’s recent $221 million settlement with the government to be a template for agreements with other schools. That deal included a monitor role, and the administration is all but insisting that Harvard agree to the same provision. One official said it would take a jaw-dropping figure, like $1 billion, for President Donald Trump to reconsider—forcing the university to weigh whether to agree to such a provision or try to offer a higher settlement instead. The official cautioned that it’s premature to say how high a penalty could rise.