The House Committee on Education and the Workforce has demanded that Harvard University provide a comprehensive range of documents within two weeks to assist in its investigation into the university’s response to antisemitism.
In a nine-page letter delivered to Harvard officials on Tuesday, the committee requested 24 types of documents, including internal emails, disciplinary records, foreign funding details, and handling of alleged Jewish student harassment since January 1, 2021. It also seeks information on antisemitic campus incidents, disciplinary actions involving Jews or Zionists, hate crime reports, disruptions to learning environments, legal settlements related to discrimination or harassment, and social media posts targeting Jews or Zionism.
The letter, signed by committee chair Rep. Virginia Foxx (R–N.C.), also asked for information on the “size, budget, agenda, and performance metrics” of the university’s Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging.
Harvard must deliver all requested documents, including related informal communications such as text messages, by January 23.
The letter marks the latest in the committee’s probe of Harvard, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) regarding their response to rising anti-Jewish incidents on their campuses amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. Last week, Harvard President Claudine Gay announced her resignation amid intensified scrutiny and allegations of plagiarism following her congressional testimony in December regarding the university’s policies on student misconduct and antisemitism. Penn President Elizabeth Magill also resigned from her post in December after receiving backlash from prominent university donors and alums.
