House Committee probing Columbia University leaderships troubling statements on campus antisemitism
The House Education Committee is probing Columbia University leaders over messages that appeared to downplay fears of antisemitism on the Ivy League campus last year.A new letter, penned by chairs Rep.Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Rep.
Elise Stefanik (R-NY), demands Columbia University President Claire Shipman clarify a series of messages, including one that labeled concerns about the hostile antisemitic sentiment that has permeated the Manhattan campus as irrational and “threatening.”Republican lawmakers said they’re seeking insight to decide if new legislation is needed to hold university leaders more accountable as volatile anti-Israel protests rage on campuses nationwide.In the Oct.30, 2023, WhatsApp message to then-president Minouche Shafik, Shipman wrote, “People are really frustrated and scared about antisemitism on our campus and they feel somehow betrayed by it.
Which is not necessarily a rational feeling but it’s deep and it is quite threatening.”She suggested creating a task force to “take the pressure” off Shafik, who later resigned in August 2024. “Your description – that people feel ‘somehow’ betrayed and that this is ‘not necessarily a rational feeling,’ but that it is ‘threatening’ – is perplexing, considering the violence and harassment against Jewish and Israeli students already occurring on Columbia’s campus at the time,” the letter stated.The lengthy memo, which included the troubling texts, was sent to the embattled institution Tuesday.In another message sent on Jan.17, 2024, then-Columbia trustee Shipman urged that someone of Middle Eastern or Arabic descent join the university board “quickly” – a move the pair of pols said violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. “Were Columbia to act on this suggestion and appoint someone to the board specifically because of their national origin, it would implicate Title VI concerns,” the scathing letter sent to the Ivy League explained. “The Committ...