The Trump administration claimed on Thursday that Columbia University has breached civil rights laws by neglecting the harassment of Jewish students since the onset of the Israeli-Hamas War.
Anthony Arquebar, acting director of the HHS Civil Rights Bureau, highlighted the situation, stating that Jewish students have faced over 19 months of hostile conditions at Columbia, which have disrupted their education and sense of safety.
Columbia has been accused of not protecting Jewish students from discrimination rooted in race, color, or nationality since October 7, 2023.
Reports allege that Columbia failed to investigate or penalize classroom vandalism, which includes the display of hate symbols, and did not establish an effective reporting system for anti-Semitism until summer 2024.
Arquebar urged Columbia to collaborate with the administration to reach an agreement that fosters real change and better safeguards for Jewish students.
A spokesperson from Columbia responded to Axios, asserting the university’s commitment to combating anti-Semitism and emphasizing that the discovery is part of a broader ongoing dialogue with the government.
The spokesperson added, “Columbia is deeply dedicated to addressing anti-Semitism and all forms of harassment and discrimination on campus,” and confirmed their cooperation with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education on these issues.
Notably, HHS’s findings do not outline any new actions regarding the university.
Back in March, the Trump administration announced the cancellation of $400 million in federal grants due to Columbia’s alleged failure to safeguard Jewish students from anti-Semitic harassment across Ivy League institutions.
This funding cut followed over a year marked by numerous incidents, including large-scale protests and anti-Jewish harassment after the recent attack on Israel and the escalation of war in Gaza.
In response to the uproar, protesters had set up a tent encampment at Columbia toward the end of the spring semester in 2024, leading to their removal by NYPD from the historic Hamilton Hall.
In light of these events, Columbia announced intentions to comply with the lawful order and implement various policy changes as per the reforms requested by the Ministry of Education and other governing bodies.
As part of these changes, the university has instituted a ban on facial coverings intended to conceal identities on campus, aiming to ensure adherence to state and federal regulations.
