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The U.S. Department of Education has notified Columbia University’s accrediting agency that the university violated federal civil rights law by failing to protect Jewish students from harassment, a move that could jeopardize its accreditation and access to federal student aid.
The Department’s Office for Civil Rights concluded that Columbia did not adequately respond to incidents of antisemitic harassment on campus, effectively denying Jewish students equal access to education in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
“After Hamas’ October 7, 2023, terror attack on Israel, Columbia University’s leadership acted with deliberate indifference towards the harassment of Jewish students on its campus. This is not only immoral, but also unlawful. Accreditors have an enormous public responsibility as gatekeepers of federal student aid. They determine which institutions are eligible for federal student loans and Pell Grants. Just as the Department of Education has an obligation to uphold federal antidiscrimination law, university accreditors have an obligation to ensure member institutions abide by their standards,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon.
“We look forward to the Commission keeping the Department fully informed of actions taken to ensure Columbia’s compliance with accreditation standards including compliance with federal civil rights laws,” she added.
Columbia’s accreditor has been instructed to require the university to come into compliance with federal civil rights obligations. The accrediting agency must now inform Columbia of the findings and ensure that the institution develops and implements a corrective plan.
Failure to comply could ultimately impact the university’s accreditation status and its eligibility for federal financial aid programs, including student loans and Pell Grants.
The Department of Education emphasized the crucial role of accrediting agencies in holding institutions accountable for compliance with civil rights laws and ensuring that federal funds support safe and equitable learning environments.
Columbia University responded by stating that it is working with its accreditor to address the concerns raised and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety and inclusion of all students. University officials have already taken additional steps to strengthen campus security and support services.
