The federal government has launched an investigation into Columbia University’s handling of antisemitism concerns, putting billions in federal funding under review.
Hours after Linda McMahon was sworn in as the new U.S. Secretary of Education on Monday evening, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Education (ED), and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced an investigation into potential violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act at Columbia University.
The Federal Government’s Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, which was created under a January 29 executive order, is assessing whether Columbia adequately addressed concerns about antisemitism on campus. The GSA has been directed to coordinate a government-wide examination of Columbia’s federal funding, including $51.4 million in federal contracts and more than $5 billion in grant funding.
This move comes in the wake of student-led protests at Columbia University advocating for divestment from Israel amid ongoing conflict in Palestine.
After the announcement, Columbia University released the following statement:
“We are reviewing tonight’s communication from the Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services, and General Services Administration. Columbia is fully committed to combatting antisemitism and all forms of discrimination, and we are resolute that calling for, promoting, or glorifying violence or terror has no place at our University. We look forward to ongoing work with the new federal administration to fight antisemitism, and we will continue to make all efforts to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff.”
The investigation could have significant implications for Columbia’s federal funding, policies, and approach to campus civil rights issues.
