Federal Agencies Reviewing Columbia University’s Funds Over Alleged Inaction on Anti-Semitism

Jewish students at the campus have reportedly faced harassment after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel.

Columbia University students protest the Israel/Gaza conflict at Columbia University in New York City on April 27, 2024. Emel Akan/The Epoch Times

Three federal agencies are planning to evaluate government funds allocated to Columbia University following anti-Jewish incidents at the institution.

“Given Columbia’s ongoing inaction in the face of relentless harassment of Jewish students, the Federal Government’s Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism is considering Stop Work Orders for $51.4 million in contracts between Columbia University and the Federal Government,” the Department of Education said in a March 3 statement. Stop Work Orders are instructions given to contractors to suspend work on projects.

The task force “will also conduct a comprehensive review of the more than $5 billion in federal grant commitments to Columbia University to ensure the university is in compliance with federal regulations, including its civil rights responsibilities.”

The evaluation is being conducted by the Department of Education, the U.S. General Services Administration, and the Department of Health and Human Services.

The review comes “in light of ongoing investigations for potential violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act,” which bans discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, and color in programs that receive financial assistance from the federal government. “At this time, no immediate contracting actions are being taken,” the statement said.

Protests at the university broke out after Israel took military action against Hamas after the terror group carried out the largest single-day massacre of Jews since the Holocaust on Oct. 7, 2023. The terrorists who stormed into Israel killed 1,200 people and abducted more than 200.

The pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia criticized Israel’s military actions, with some protesters celebrating the terrorist attacks on Israel. In one instance, a protester said in videos circulating online that the Oct. 7 attack “will happen not one more time, not five more times, not 10 more times, not 100 more times, not 1,000 more times, but 10,000 times!”

Another video shows a demonstrator pointing to a group of students waving Israeli flags as potential targets for Hamas. Jewish students complained they were subjected to physical and verbal abuse. Some reported anti-Semitic graffiti.

Columbia has been criticized over its handling of the protests. A few days after the protests erupted on April 17, the university reportedly canceled in-person classes for the remaining spring semester. On April 22, university president Minouche Shafik said all classes would be held virtually that day.

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) criticized Shafik’s comments at the time, saying it “further proves that President Shafik is unable to stop the anti-Semitic activity on her campus and keep her students safe.”

That month Shafik attended a congressional hearing and said that calls for annihilation of Jews threatened the institution’s code of conduct. When asked whether protesters shouting slogans such as “Long live the Intifada” and “From the River to the Sea” were anti-Semitic, she said it was a “difficult issue.”

At the time, House Republicans sent a letter urging major Columbia donors to denounce the anti-Semitic incidents taking place on campus and pull funding from the university.

In July, three university staff members were permanently removed from their posts after it came to light that they were involved in anti-Semitic text messages. In August, Shafik announced she was stepping down as president of Columbia.

Commenting on the multi-agency review, Columbia said they were assessing the matter and were “committed to combatting anti-Semitism and all forms of discrimination,” according to a March 3 statement.

Promoting or glorifying terror and violence has “no place” at the institution, it said.

“We look forward to ongoing work with the new federal administration to fight anti-Semitism, and we will continue to make all efforts to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff.”

Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protesters face off in front of the entrance of Columbia University in New York City, on April 22, 2024. Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images

Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said that institutions receiving federal funds are obligated to protect all their students from discrimination.

She criticized Columbia for its “apparent failure to uphold their end of this basic agreement.” This failure raises questions as to whether Columbia is fit to do business with the American government, she said.

“Americans have watched in horror for more than a year now, as Jewish students have been assaulted and harassed on elite university campuses—repeatedly overrun by anti-Semitic students and agitators.”

“Unlawful encampments and demonstrations have completely paralyzed day-to-day campus operations, depriving Jewish students of learning opportunities to which they are entitled,” McMahon said.

The review comes after President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Jan. 29—“Additional Measures To Combat Anti-Semitism.”

The order cited the “unrelenting barrage of discrimination” against Jewish students on American campuses in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack. Students have reported physical threats and assaults as well as denial of access to campus facilities such as classrooms and libraries, it said.

“It shall be the policy of the United States to combat anti-Semitism vigorously, using all available and appropriate legal tools, to prosecute, remove, or otherwise hold to account the perpetrators of unlawful anti-Semitic harassment and violence,” said the order.

The Federal Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism was created following the executive order. Late last month, the task force announced plans to visit 10 university campuses across the country where anti-Semitic incidents have been reported since the Oct. 7 incident, according to a Feb. 28 statement from the U.S. Department of Justice.

The 10 universities are Columbia, George Washington, Northwestern, the University of California, Los Angeles, the University of California, Berkeley, New York University, the University of Southern California, Johns Hopkins, Harvard, and the University of Minnesota.

Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Leo Terrell informed these institutions that they may have failed to shield Jewish students from discrimination. The task force plans to visit affected students, local law enforcement, and university leaders.

“The President, Attorney General Pamela Bondi, and the entire Administration are committed to ensuring that no one should feel unsafe or unwelcome on campus because of their religion,” Terrell said.

“These visits are just one of many steps this Administration is taking to deliver on that commitment.”