On Wednesday, the Department of Education issued a warning to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the accreditor of Columbia University, accusing the Ivy League institution of violating federal anti-discrimination laws.
The action follows a series of protests on Columbia’s campus related to the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, which sparked allegations of harassment against Jewish students.
Allegations Against Columbia University
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon criticized Columbia University’s leadership, claiming that it had “acted with deliberate indifference” towards the harassment of Jewish students during the protests.
In a press release, McMahon condemned the university’s response to the situation, calling it “immoral and unlawful.” Columbia is accused of violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin by institutions receiving federal funds.
The Department of Education stated that by failing to address these violations, Columbia has failed to meet the standards set by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
The accreditation process is crucial because it determines which schools are eligible for federal funding, including loans and financial aid. A loss of accreditation could have significant ramifications for Columbia and other universities.
Specific Allegations and Consequences
The Department of Education claims that Columbia University failed to act in several important ways:
- Failure to establish effective reporting mechanisms for antisemitism until summer 2024.
- Failure to follow its own policies and procedures when responding to complaints from Jewish students.
- Neglecting to govern misconduct against Jewish students and failing to investigate or punish vandalism in university classrooms.
The Middle States Commission is now required to create a plan to bring Columbia into compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws, or face possible action against the university.
Columbia University’s Response
In a statement to ABC News, a Columbia University spokesperson expressed the institution’s commitment to combating antisemitism. The spokesperson said, “We take this issue seriously and are continuing to work with the federal government to address it.” The university’s leadership has stated that they are actively working on improving its response to these issues.
The Trump Administration’s Broader Push Against Universities
This action against Columbia is part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration to hold universities accountable for their handling of antisemitism on campus.
In 2020, Trump signed an executive order aimed at overhauling the higher education accreditation system, which included holding accreditors accountable for how universities handle such issues.
The administration’s stance has been to vigorously combat antisemitism on college campuses, including stripping Columbia of $400 million in education grants and contracts as part of its efforts.
This is not the first time the Trump administration has taken action against prominent universities. Last month, the administration announced but later reversed a decision to bar Harvard University from allowing international students to enroll.
Harvard is also fighting the Trump administration’s attempt to freeze over $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts. The university has filed a separate lawsuit to challenge the funding freeze, with a hearing scheduled for July.
Trump has previously suggested the possibility of revoking Harvard’s tax-exempt status, adding another layer to his administration’s actions against the university.