High Country Times

Columbia University President and Board Chairs are set to testify at an upcoming hearing focused on addressing antisemitism on the university's campus. The Committee on Education and the Workforce, led by Chairwoman Virginia Foxx, will hold a full Committee hearing titled “Columbia in Crisis: Columbia University’s Response to Antisemitism” tomorrow at 10:15 a.m.

Chairwoman Foxx expressed the necessity of hearing from Columbia's leadership in person to understand the school's approach to combating antisemitic incidents on campus. She highlighted the severity of the situation, stating, “Some of the worst cases of antisemitic assaults, harassment, and vandalism on campus have occurred at Columbia University.”

The witnesses scheduled to testify at the hearing include Dr. Nemat "Minouche" Shafik, President of Columbia University, Professor David M. Schizer, Dean Emeritus and Harvey R. Miller Professor of Law and Economics at Columbia Law School, Ms. Claire Shipman, Board of Trustees Co-Chair at Columbia University, and Mr. David Greenwald, also a Board of Trustees Co-Chair at Columbia University.

In a letter dated February 12, 2024, Chairwoman Foxx requested information from Columbia University's leadership regarding their response to antisemitism on campus and their alleged failure to protect Jewish students, faculty, and staff. This request for information comes in the wake of disturbing incidents, as highlighted by Columbia undergraduate student Eden Yadegar during a Committee roundtable on campus antisemitism on February 29, 2024. Yadegar recounted instances of physical assaults and threats faced by Jewish students, stating, "[w]e have been attacked with sticks outside of our library. We have been surrounded by angry mobs. And we have been threatened to 'keep f***ing running.'"

The hearing, which will take place at 2175 Rayburn House Office Building, will be open to credentialed media and will also be live-streamed on the Committee's YouTube page. Those planning to cover the hearing are required to RSVP to Nick.Barley@mail.house.gov.