Congressional Hearing on Campus Antisemitism

Introduction to the Hearing

WASHINGTON (AP) — The president of Haverford College was berated by Republican lawmakers in a congressional hearing on campus antisemitism Wednesday, with some suggesting the school should lose federal funding because of her refusal to discuss student discipline in the wake of pro-Palestinian protests. Wendy Raymond appeared alongside two other college presidents on Capitol Hill but was singled out as the only one who would not detail punishments for students and faculty accused of anti-Jewish bias.

The Hearing Proceedings

Asked repeatedly, Raymond said her institution does not publicize the outcomes of disciplinary processes. “I suppose it’s your First Amendment right to be evasive, but it’s also our right to decide that such institutions are not deserving of taxpayer money,” said Republican Rep. Bob Onder of Missouri. Also appearing before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce were Jeffrey Armstrong of California Polytechnic State University and Robert Manuel of DePaul University.

Selection of Institutions

It was the latest in a series of hearings scrutinizing university presidents over their responses to allegations of anti-Jewish bias in the wake of Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on Israel and a wave of protests that swept the nation’s campuses. Hamas has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, Canada, and the European Union. Unlike other hearings that featured leaders of Harvard, Columbia, and other elite institutions — with stumbles that later contributed to their resignations — this one intentionally focused on lesser-known schools.

Diverse Representation of Colleges

Republicans sought to look beyond the Ivy League to underscore the pervasiveness of antisemitism on U.S. campuses. The committee’s leaders aimed to choose a diverse mix of colleges. Haverford is a small liberal arts school outside Philadelphia, founded by Quakers. DePaul is a Catholic university with an urban campus in Chicago. Cal Poly is a campus of 22,000 students in San Luis Obispo.

FILE – Protesters face off with Chicago police across the street from DePaul University in Chicago, May 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Teresa Crawford, file)

Grilling of Presidents

For more than three hours, Republicans grilled the presidents over reports of anti-Jewish harassment on their campuses, ranging from social media posts to the physical attack of two Jewish students at DePaul. Democrats denounced the hearing, calling it political theater that does little to fight discrimination. The trio of presidents mostly struck a deferential tone, acknowledging some missteps while highlighting work to make students feel safer.

Disciplinary Actions

Raymond and Manuel apologized for shortcomings, while Armstrong said “we have to do better” holding people accountable for prejudice. But while the presidents of Cal Poly and DePaul shared information on disciplinary action against antisemitism, Raymond refused. “We do not talk about those numbers publicly,” she said when pressed on the question. She acknowledged some action had taken but declined to go further.

Criticism from Lawmakers

It drew a searing rebuke from Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., known for orchestrating fiery exchanges with former presidents of Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania that contributed to their resignations last year. “Respectfully, president of Haverford, many people have sat in this position who are no longer in their positions as presidents of universities for their failure to answer straightforward questions,” Stefanik said.

Potential Funding Cuts

Stefanik questioned Raymond over a professor’s social media post describing the Hamas attacks as “imprisoned people breaking free from their chains.” Raymond called it repugnant but refused to discuss individual cases. Other Republicans endorsed the idea of funding cuts for schools that refuse to disclose punishments, saying Congress should explore the issue. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie of Pennsylvania said it should be a baseline for receiving funding.

Conclusion

The hearing highlighted the ongoing concern over antisemitism on U.S. campuses and the varying approaches institutions take to address it. The refusal of Haverford’s president to discuss disciplinary actions sparked intense criticism, with potential implications for federal funding. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how colleges and lawmakers will navigate the complex issues of free speech, student safety, and accountability.

FAQs

1. What was the purpose of the congressional hearing?

   • The hearing aimed to scrutinize university presidents over their responses to allegations of anti-Jewish bias on campuses following pro-Palestinian protests.

2. Which colleges were represented at the hearing?

   • Haverford College, California Polytechnic State University, and DePaul University were represented.

3. Why was Haverford’s president criticized?

   • Haverford’s president, Wendy Raymond, was criticized for refusing to discuss student discipline in cases of anti-Jewish bias, unlike the other presidents present.

4. What are the potential consequences for colleges that do not disclose disciplinary actions?

   • There is a suggestion that such institutions could face funding cuts, with some lawmakers proposing that disclosure should be a condition for receiving federal funding.
5. How have other colleges been affected by allegations of antisemitism?
   • Several elite institutions, including Harvard, Columbia, and the University of Pennsylvania, have faced scrutiny and, in some cases, seen their presidents resign over their handling of antisemitism allegations. The Trump administration has also frozen grants to some colleges targeted by a federal antisemitism task force.