House Republicans Criticize Columbia University's Handling of Antisemitism

House Republican Leadership Chairwoman Elise Stefanik and GOP Rep. Tim Walberg are criticizing Columbia University's president, Claire Shipman, over comments made in 2024 that they say may violate the Civil Rights Act. The congresswoman and congressman sent a letter to Shipman on Tuesday, pointing to a message from January 17, 2024, where Shipman suggested that the university needed to have someone from the Middle East or who is Arab on its board. They also cited Shipman's criticism of Jewish board member Shoshana Shendelman, whom they claim is one of the board's most outspoken members against the bullying, harassment, and intimidation of Jewish students.

The letter also points to Shipman's criticism of the university's handling of antisemitism, including her comment in October 2023, where she described people feeling "somehow" betrayed and that this is "not necessarily a rational feeling, but it is quite threatening." Stefanik and Walberg wrote that this description is perplexing, considering the violence and harassment against Jewish and Israeli students already occurring on Columbia's campus at the time.

The Trump administration has accused dozens of US universities of tolerating antisemitism, and Columbia faces continued investigations into its handling of antisemitism on campus. In March, the Trump administration canceled $400 million in federal funding over campus protests. The university has since made apparent concessions, including restrictions on demonstrations, new disciplinary procedures, and reviewing its Middle East curriculum.

Key Takeaways:

• Columbia University's president, Claire Shipman, faced criticism from House Republicans over comments made in 2024 that may violate the Civil Rights Act.
• Shipman suggested that the university needed to have someone from the Middle East or who is Arab on its board in a message from January 17, 2024.
• Shipman also criticized Jewish board member Shoshana Shendelman, who is one of the board's most outspoken members against the bullying, harassment, and intimidation of Jewish students.
• Shipman described people feeling "somehow" betrayed and that this is "not necessarily a rational feeling, but it is quite threatening" in a comment from October 2023.
• The Trump administration has accused dozens of US universities of tolerating antisemitism.
• Columbia faces continued investigations into its handling of antisemitism on campus.
• The university has made concessions, including restrictions on demonstrations, new disciplinary procedures, and reviewing its Middle East curriculum.
• The US Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights escalated its fight with the university last month, declaring that the school doesn't meet accreditation standards because of its failure to protect Jewish students.

Statistics:

• The Trump administration canceled $400 million in federal funding over campus protests in March.
• Dozens of US universities have been accused by the Trump administration of tolerating antisemitism.
• The US Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights escalated its fight with Columbia University last month, declaring that the school doesn't meet accreditation standards because of its failure to protect Jewish students.
• The university has made apparent concessions, including restrictions on demonstrations, new disciplinary procedures, and reviewing its Middle East curriculum.

Sources:

• A letter from House Republican Leadership Chairwoman Elise Stefanik and GOP Rep. Tim Walberg to Columbia University's acting president Claire Shipman.
• A statement from a Columbia University spokesperson.
• A report from CNN.