Columbia University President Faces Congressional Committee on Antisemitism Response

Columbia University President Nemat (Minouche) Shafik appeared before a congressional committee to address the school’s response to antisemitism following the Hamas attack on Israel. Shafik, accompanied by Columbia’s Board of Trustees co-chairs and an antisemitism task force member, acknowledged the challenges faced by the university in managing the aftermath.

The hearing focused on the disciplinary actions taken against students and faculty involved in protests and expressions of antisemitism. Shafik highlighted suspensions and probation for students, as well as potential dismissals for faculty members like Joseph Massad, who supported the Hamas attack.

Republican lawmakers questioned Shafik on the handling of faculty members engaging in antisemitic conduct. Shafik expressed a willingness to dismiss faculty who violated policies. The hearing echoed a previous one involving Harvard, MIT, and the University of Pennsylvania‘s presidents, resulting in resignations at Penn and Harvard.

Committee Chair Virginia Foxx’s allegations of pervasive antisemitism at Columbia prompted the hearing, with the university submitting extensive documentation on its investigations. Shafik’s testimony emphasized the balance between free speech and campus safety.

In a Wall Street Journal article, Shafik outlined lessons learned from the Israel-Hamas conflict, advocating for protected speech within limits and urging universities to model inclusive communities. The hearing underscored the ongoing challenges faced by universities in addressing polarized beliefs on campus.