Columbia’s ‘indifference’ to anti-Israel protests violated civil rights law: HHS
The Trump administration has accused Columbia University of violating federal law by showing “deliberate indifference” towards anti-Israel protests that have been occurring on campus since October 7, 2023. The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) conducted an investigation and found that Columbia’s handling of “student-on-student harassment of Jewish students” over the past 19 months was in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Title VI prohibits discrimination in programs and activities based on race, color, or national origin, including discrimination against individuals with Israeli or Jewish identity or ancestry. The OCR alleged that Columbia failed to protect Jewish students by allowing a hostile environment to persist on campus. The university has been a focal point for anti-Israel and pro-Hamas protests since October 2023, with buildings being occupied or damaged by groups chanting antisemitic slogans and calling for divestment from Israel.
The OCR’s Notice of Violation pointed out that Columbia did not adequately address antisemitism, failed to follow its own policies when responding to complaints from Jewish students, and did not enforce restrictions on on-campus protests. It took until the summer of 2024 for the university to establish effective reporting and remediation mechanisms for antisemitism. Even then, incidents of vandalism, including hate symbols like swastikas, were not properly investigated or punished.
Acting Director of the OCR at HHS, Anthony Archeval, emphasized the need for Columbia to make meaningful changes to protect Jewish students from the hostile environment they have endured. The announcement of the violation comes after a group of Columbia graduates burned their diplomas in protest of the detention of former student Mahmoud Khalil, who was arrested by immigration agents for his involvement in anti-Israel activities on campus.
In response to the OCR’s findings, Columbia University is working with the Trump administration to address antisemitism on campus. The university has lost $400 million in federal funding due to the mishandling of antisemitic incidents. Columbia University has stated that they are in ongoing discussions with the government to combat antisemitism and create a safer environment for all students.
This incident highlights the importance of addressing discrimination and creating a respectful and inclusive environment on college campuses. Universities have a responsibility to protect all students and uphold civil rights laws to ensure a safe and welcoming community for everyone.
