In a letter Thursday, Republican lawmakers accused Columbia University’s president of misleading Congress about a supposedly required orientation document that appeared to include “shocking and offensive” DEI terms such as “Ashkenormativity.” He lashed out at Minoush Shafik.
Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) accused Mr. Shafiq of giving contradictory testimony about a bizarre awakening glossary that he said was sent to him by a former student.
“Multiple lines of evidence contradict your suggestion that Columbia University is irrelevant to the DEI lexicon,” Banks wrote.
“As I said at last week’s hearing, the DEI glossary perfectly represents the radical and left-wing sentiments and worldviews that have fueled anti-Semitism on campus,” Banks added. Ta.
“Because anti-Semitism is currently so prevalent at Columbia University, and anti-Israel demonstrators have made the campus so dangerous for Jewish students, Columbia University is offering all courses remotely for the remainder of this semester. We offer options.
“This is a complete failure of Columbia University to meet its fundamental obligations as a publicly funded university.
The “Review DEI Glossary Terms” orientation document was featured on the Columbia School of Social Work website. withdrawn Immediately after being injured New York Times article Highlight it.
“The student who sent me the email [these pre-orientation materials] was paid to hold this position as [Professional Development and Self Awareness] I was an orientation leader,” the former Columbia University undergraduate wrote to Banks in an email reviewed by the Post.
“The glossary is clearly not a student-created glossary. It was sanctioned by CSSW,” an alumnus told lawmakers.
Mr. Banks questioned Mr. Shafiq and members of the Columbia University Board of Trustees during an April 17 hearing of the House Education and Labor Committee.
“President Shafik, I understand that you are very proud of Columbia University’s School of Social Work,” Banks asked. “Could you please define the term ‘Ashkenormativity’?”
“I don’t use that word. I don’t know that term,” Shafiq said, suggesting it was “something a group of students made up.”
“I don’t think this is a product of social work graduate school,” she added.
“Let’s read how ‘Ashkenazi’ is defined,” Banks interrupted. “It is a system of oppression that privileges white Jewish ‘fools’ based on the assumption that all Jewish ‘fools’ are Ashkenazi, that is, of Western European origin.”
“Is that appropriate?” he pressed. “I handed it out to the students.”
“I don’t agree with that. I don’t think it’s very helpful,” Shafiq replied. “I won’t tolerate that.”
Council co-chair David Greenwald, when asked the same question, declared it a “shockingly offensive” term, while fellow council chair Claire Shipman said: He called it “outrageous.”
“Can you help me understand something else? Granted I didn’t go to an Ivy League school,” Banks, an Indiana University graduate, continued. “Could you please explain to me why the word ‘folx’ is spelled ‘fol-x’ throughout this guidebook?” What does that mean? “
“Don’t they know how to spell?” Mr. Shafik offered weakly, eliciting laughter from several Columbia University undergraduates sitting behind him. “I don’t really know how to spell that.”
“I don’t think it’s a laughing matter,” Banks retorted. “You know it’s being distributed to all students, but you’re not doing anything to stop it.”
House Education and Labor Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx also accused Shafiq of giving “false testimony” about professor Joseph Massad, who is under investigation for anti-Semitic conduct.
Foxx (R-N.C.) said at a news conference Wednesday at Morningside Heights School that no such investigation has been conducted.
The school board is investigating Columbia University and other schools for harboring anti-Semitism in recent years.
The bank asked Shafiq to clarify by May 16 whether the DEI glossary was “approved by the CSSW,” whether Columbia paid for it, and who created the document.
