Columbia University is again facing scrutiny over allegations of antisemitism and discrimination against Jewish students on campus, according to a report by Haaretz.
The Columbia Task Force on Antisemitism, established in the wake of the October 7 Hamas massacre and subsequent war in Gaza, has documented hundreds of testimonies detailing incidents of harassment, intimidation, and exclusion experienced by Jewish students. These accounts were gathered through over 20 listening sessions attended by approximately 500 students, as well as written appeals submitted to the task force.
Some of the disturbing incidents reported include professors asking students with Jewish-sounding last names to explain their views on the Israeli government's actions in Gaza. One professor is quoted as telling their class to "avoid reading mainstream media, declaring that 'it is owned by Jews.'" Another professor allegedly revealed a student's complaint about an offensive comment regarding Jews by publicly displaying their email to fellow students.
Columbia University Task Force on Antisemitism: "One professor encountering a Jewish-sounding surname while reading names before an exam asked the student to explain their views on the Israeli government's actions in Gaza. Another told their class to avoid reading mainstream…
— Yair Rosenberg (@Yair_Rosenberg) June 16, 2024
The report also highlights instances of professors encouraging students to participate in pro-Palestinian protests or the Gaza Solidarity Encampment for extra credit, or even conducting classes at protest sites. Jewish students wearing religious symbols reported having them torn from their person, while others were reportedly kicked out of student clubs for not wanting to participate in group actions and statements against Israel's right to exist.
The task force's findings are set to be published in the coming weeks in a new report focusing specifically on the experiences of Jewish students at Columbia University.
Meanwhile, Harvard Dean of Social Science Lawrence Bobo published an article in The Harvard Crimson titled, "Faculty speech must have limits." In the op-ed, Bobo writes that although freedom of speech is important, faculty should not bring to light incidents that will attract external attention and backlash.
This op-ed arguing that the freedom of speech shouldn't extend to faculty who denounce university leadership purports to be from the Dean of Social Science at Harvard but it is surely satire. https://t.co/Wwb3RkdPL8 pic.twitter.com/tdVudkvMW9
— Jameel Jaffer (@JameelJaffer) June 16, 2024
"Vigorous debate is to be expected and encouraged at any university interested in promoting freedom of expression. But here is the rub: As the events of the past year evidence, sharply critical speech from faculty, prominent ones especially, can attract outside attention that directly impedes the University's function," he wrote. "A faculty member's right to free speech does not amount to a blank check to engage in behaviors that plainly incite external actors – be it the media, alumni, donors, federal agencies, or the government – to intervene in Harvard's affairs."
— Orin Kerr (@OrinKerr) June 16, 2024
He also discussed the proper and improper way to conduct a protest, citing successful examples of "heroic actions of college students who burned draft cards in protest of the Vietnam War, registered black voters in Mississippi or Alabama, sat in at segregated lunch counters, or joined marches for women's liberation and gay rights." He urges the university to sanction "professors or administrators who encourage and advocate for such actions [improper protests]."
