Table Of Content
- Statement of Columbia President Minouche Shafik
- 26.22 In 117th Congress, Committee Democrats Put People Over Politics
- Education and Human Services Policy
- Board of Trustees of Columbia University
- Statements From the April 17 Congressional Committee Hearing
- Foxx Calls on Columbia President, Trustees to Restore Order on Campus
- How Democrats Delivered for the American People in the 117th Congress
My name is David Greenwald, and I have been co-chair of Columbia’s Board of Trustees, together with my co-chair Claire Shipman, since last September. As a graduate of Columbia Law School, I have been part of Columbia’s community for decades. Late last fall, I moderated a powerful event with two brilliant women—the Israeli dean of our foreign policy school, Keren Yarhi Milo, and her friend, Amani Jamal, the Palestinian dean of Princeton’s foreign policy school. They didn’t agree on everything, but the women spoke with empathy, wisdom, common sense, and respect.
Statement of Columbia President Minouche Shafik
There is a lot to do–and we aren’t yet where we need to be–but we are making real progress. It is an unfortunate reality that antisemitism has existed for about 2,000 years. One would hope that by the twenty-first century, antisemitism would have been relegated to the dustbin of history, but it has not. The antisemitism that Jewish people have experienced on campuses and in cities across our nation, including our own, in the past few months is both real and dangerous. To confront this challenge, I believe we can look to periods in our history where antisemitism has been in abeyance.
26.22 In 117th Congress, Committee Democrats Put People Over Politics
We have ongoing investigations into complaints made against faculty and staff members. In November, we suspended two student groups—Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace—after the groups repeatedly violated our policies and held an unauthorized demonstration on November 9. Additionally, on March 24, an event took place at a campus residential facility that the University had previously barred—twice—from occurring. While the investigation is still ongoing, a number of students have been suspended in connection with policy violations related to this event.
Education and Human Services Policy
The report also called for stronger enforcement of our policies—a goal that the Trustees share and are working toward. The Task Force will be releasing additional reports, which President Shafik, the Board, and other University leaders eagerly await. We will continue incorporating their findings and recommendations into our ongoing efforts to make Columbia a welcoming environment for all, and I look forward to the implementation of the recommendations in the Task Force’s first report. Columbia maintains rules which prohibit antisemitic harassment and discrimination and set forth other standards of behavior and will punish those who violate them.
Chair Foxx on Biden’s H-2A Final Rule
Congressional committee grills Columbia University president on campus antisemitism - ABC News
Congressional committee grills Columbia University president on campus antisemitism.
Posted: Wed, 17 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
These designated locations are intended to be prominent and central, while still limiting interference with ongoing University activities and ensuring the safety of students. Limiting demonstrations to set areas will make it possible for students who do not wish to interact with protestors to avoid these events while still attending classes and participating in other aspects of life at Columbia. If students wish to hold a demonstration outside of one of these designated areas, they must seek University approval. Finally, students are not permitted to promote a demonstration on campus until after their registration is approved. Columbia’s disciplinary processes and support services were not prepared for the volume and the nature of violations that we saw after October 7.
Board of Trustees of Columbia University
Over the weekend, 37 liberals voted against sending $14 billion in aid to Israel over concerns that humanitarian aid would not reach Gaza, joining 21 Republicans who did not support the measure over spending concerns. The lawmakers’ pleas were not as forceful as Republicans’, who left no room for distinction between those targeting Jewish students and those peacefully protesting the Israel-Gaza war. But the Democrats were adamant about the need to protect students with backgrounds like theirs. The university perimeters were lined with metal barricades and a heavy police presence, and the campus, which is usually accessible to the public, was restricted to Columbia ID holders. “Their passion, as long as it doesn’t cross the line into threats, discrimination or harassment, should be protected speech on our campus. Rightwingers have painted the university as a hotbed of antisemitism, while opponents have accused the institution’s authorities of disproportionately punishing pro-Palestinian students who criticise Israel.
If the policy is violated, student groups will be reported to their respective student governing board, which will recommend sanctions to the Administration. Individual students who violate the policy will be reported to the Center for Student Success and Intervention. Repeated violations of the policy by an individual student can result in referral to the University Judicial Board, who can recommend that the student be placed on probation, suspended, or expelled. We knew that securing physical control over the campus, within days, was necessary for safety.
We recognize that despite our best intentions, Columbia has not always gotten it right. We, therefore, fell short of both addressing the grief and fear that our Jewish community was experiencing and making them feel safe and welcome on campus. We still have work to do, and we are committed to making progress and overseeing improvements. It is our first imperative that our students feel safe attending classes, sharing their perspectives, and participating in campus life to the fullest. All universities, including Columbia, have an obligation to foster conversations about complicated and divisive issues in a way that is empathetic toward those with whom we disagree while promoting lively and respectful debate.
How Democrats Delivered for the American People in the 117th Congress
While this larger review was essential, it was also important to provide more immediate changes to protect our community. Columbia has seen a rise in complaints of antisemitic incidents on campus since October 7. We are taking these complaints seriously and have implemented a number of initiatives to address this harassment and hatred and to ensure safety on our campus.
Difficult inquiries, robust exchange of ideas, and even respectful conflict are at the core of higher education. However, when those debates devolve into antisemitic harassment, discrimination, or violence—as has unacceptably happened at Columbia after October 7—there must be consequences. Columbia recognizes the importance of free speech, even on incredibly divisive topics, and will not deny a group the right to protest peacefully based on their viewpoint. However, there will be consequences for those who fail to abide by the demonstration policy.
Shortly after the October 7 terrorist attacks, Columbia University launched a Task Force on Antisemitism led by three prominent Jewish faculty members on our campus to develop a forum for feedback and suggest improvements. The Task Force has been at the core of the University’s response to antisemitism and has met with representatives from all 17 schools at Columbia to learn more about what our Jewish community is encountering on campus. The Board is committed to building a university with an active discourse where all students, faculty, and staff can share their views on the issues important to them, but we refuse to tolerate threats, violence, and hatred. It is the Board’s responsibility, in conjunction with all University leadership, to build a community where everyone is safe and able to thrive. The Task Force has already given us constructive feedback and suggestions.
First, Columbia needs better rules about where and when protests can be held. The right to protest has to be protected, regardless of subject matter or viewpoint. It is a core part of the university’s commitment to free expression and academic freedom. At the same time, the university also has to ensure that protests don’t disrupt classes and other activities.
