October 31st, 2024
By Lexi Lonas Cochran
Republicans on the House Education Committee on Thursday released their report regarding antisemitism on college campuses after a nearly yearlong investigation that played a part in at least two university presidents resigning from their roles.
The probe collected more than 400,000 documents from 11 schools across the country in the wake of Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza. It also marked the first time in the committee’s history that lawmakers would subpoena the leadership of universities.
The report came to four conclusions: the concessions universities were willing to make to protesters were “astounding”; the schools chose to “withhold support from Jewish students”; university leadership failed to discipline students who engaged in antisemitic activities; and universities were themselves hostile to the House’s investigation.
“For over a year, the American people have watched antisemitic mobs rule over so-called elite universities, but what was happening behind the scenes is arguably worse. While Jewish students displayed incredible courage and a refusal to cave to the harassment, university administrators, faculty, and staff were cowards who fully capitulated to the mob and failed the students they were supposed to serve,” committee Chair Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) said.
The report chastised administrations for some of the concessions they were considering when dealing with pro-Palestinian protests, highlighting Northwestern University and its discussions of taking Sabra hummus off campus.
The committee’s majority also said Columbia University offered greater concessions than publicly reported, including formal reviews of divestment from certain companies and a potential partnership with a Palestinian university “where Hamas is active on campus.”
Lawmakers accused multiple schools of withholding support from Jewish students, focusing on Harvard and the school’s decision not to condemn a letter led by more than 30 student groups that placed responsibility on Israel for the Oct. 7 attack.
“The Committee’s investigation found that in multiple cases, these failures came not from mere ignorance or lack of forethought, but rather from intentional decisions by university leaders not to provide their campuses’ Jewish communities the necessary support needed to ensure they felt safe to live on campus or attend classes,” the report read.
The probe also discovered former Harvard President Claudine Gay, who resigned after the House’s hearing on antisemitism and accusations of plagiarism, asked the university not to label the chant “from the river to the sea” antisemitic in fear they would have to then punish students who used it.
In the section regarding consequences for pro-Palestinian protesters, the committee highlighted numerous incidents in which schools declined to punish students who broke university rules.
Columbia, in particular, let some students go without any punishment after they took over Hamilton Hall, according to the report.
The report has been controversial as critics say the Republicans were meddling too much in university business and using their positions of power to intimidate schools.
In a statement to The Hill, Columbia said it “strongly condemns antisemitism and all forms of discrimination.”
“Since assuming her role in August, Interim President Armstrong and her leadership team have taken decisive actions to reinforce Columbia’s academic mission, make our community safe, and address the Committee’s concerns, including by strengthening and clarifying our disciplinary processes,” a school spokesperson said.
In the report, lawmakers found schools were hostile to the investigation, from expressing contempt for the inquiries themselves to remarks about Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.).
“Harvard President Claudine Gay launched into a personal attack on Representative Elise Stefanik in a formal meeting of the University’s Board of Overseers. Columbia trustees derided congressional oversight of campus antisemitism and corresponded about how they hoped Democrats would take Congress days after receiving assurances from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer [D-N.Y] that universities would not face accountability from Democrats,” the report said.
The committee has concluded that these schools are likely violating Title VI and more accountability is required by administration.
“Our investigation has shown that these ‘leaders’ bear the responsibility for the chaos likely violating Title VI and threatening public safety. It is time for the executive branch to enforce the laws and ensure colleges and universities restore order and guarantee that all students have a safe learning environment,” Foxx said.
