Trump administration says Columbia violated civil rights of Jewish
students
[May 24, 2025]
By JAKE OFFENHARTZ
NEW YORK (AP) — The Trump administration is accusing Columbia University
of violating the civil rights of Jewish students by “acting with
deliberate indifference” toward what it describes as rampant
antisemitism on campus.
The finding was announced late Thursday by the Health and Human Services
Department, marking the latest blow for an Ivy League school already
shaken by federal cutbacks and sustained government pressure to crack
down on student speech.
It comes hours after the Department of Homeland Security said it would
revoke Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students, a
major escalation in the administration’s monthslong attack on higher
education.
The civil rights division of HHS said it had found Columbia in violation
of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which blocks federal funding
recipients from discrimination based on race, color or national origin.
That final category, the press release notes, includes “discrimination
against individuals that is based on their actual or perceived Israeli
or Jewish identity or ancestry.”
The announcement did not include new sanctions against Columbia, which
is already facing $400 million in federal cuts by the Trump
administration over its response to pro-Palestinian campus protests.
A spokesperson for Columbia said the university is currently in
negotiations with the government about resolving its claims of
antisemitism.
“We understand this finding is part of our ongoing discussions with the
government,” the spokesperson said in an email. “Columbia is deeply
committed to combatting antisemitism and all forms of harassment and
discrimination on our campus.”
The civil rights investigation into Columbia was based on witness
interviews, media reports and other sources, according to HHS. The
findings were not made public. A spokesperson did not response to a
request for further information.
[to top of second column]
|
A group of protesters in support of Palestinians march away from
Columbia University on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in New York. (AP
Photo/Heather Khalifa)
“The findings carefully document the hostile environment Jewish
students at Columbia University have had to endure for over 19
months, disrupting their education, safety, and well-being,” Anthony
Archeval, acting director of the HHS civil rights office, said in a
statement.
Last spring, Columbia became the epicenter of protests against the
war in Gaza, spurring a national movement of campus demonstrations
that demanded universities cut ties with Israel.
At the time, some Jewish students and faculty complained about being
harassed during the demonstrations or ostracized because of their
faith or their support of Israel.
Those who participated in Columbia’s protests, including some Jewish
students, have said they are protesting Israel’s actions against
Palestinians and have forcefully denied allegations of antisemitism.
Many have also accused the university of capitulating to the Trump
administration's demands — including placing its Middle East studies
department under new leadership — at the expense of academic freedom
and protecting foreign students.
At a commencement ceremony earlier this week, a speech by Columbia's
acting president, Claire Shipman, was met with loud boos by
graduates and chants of “free Palestine."
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
