Federal action against universities began with Columbia this year and has grown into a pattern of investigations, funding freezes and negotiated settlements. The Trump administration has paused or threatened research funds at prominent institutions and in some cases demanded policy and governance changes in exchange for restoring money. Columbia negotiated a high-profile agreement that included a $221 million payment to the federal government. Officials have signaled a willingness to offer funding priority to institutions that accept administration-drafted terms covering admissions, speech, curricula and governance. The approach has split higher education leaders between institutions that rejected the compact and those weighing engagement to safeguard federal support.