Some acknowledge that the university had no choice and that the deal could be worse, but many fear that it sets some dangerous precedents.

The Trump administration's settlement with Columbia clarifies the stakes for anyone weighing whether to fight its demands or concede.

“It’s basically the template,” he said of the Columbia deal. “Schools that have the capacity to pay $200 million can do that. They could easily dial that amount up or down. The fine is the least consequential part. It’s all the other details, which give the government unprecedented control over a private university.”