High Country Times

Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx criticized Harvard University for not holding accountable those responsible for antisemitic protests on its campus. Documents from an ongoing investigation into campus antisemitism show that Harvard did not discipline most of the protestors, and none of those found responsible for a spring encampment were suspended. This lack of punishment could be seen as a failure to provide a safe learning environment for Jewish students, which is required under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

“Harvard failed, end of story. These administrators failed their Jewish students and faculty, they failed to make it clear that antisemitism will not be tolerated, and in this case, Harvard may have failed to fulfill its legal responsibilities to protect students from a hostile environment,” said Chairwoman Foxx. “The only thing administrators accomplished is appeasing radical students who have almost certainly returned to campus emboldened and ready to repeat the spring semester’s chaos. Harvard must change course immediately.”

An executive summary of documents provided to the Committee highlights Harvard's inadequate response after students were found responsible for breaking university rules. The documents show that between October 7 and the establishment of the spring encampment, Harvard did not formally discipline any students for antisemitic conduct violations. Fifty-two out of 68 students referred for disciplinary action are currently in good standing, with some initially facing multi-semester suspensions later reduced to probation.

The Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) Committee on Rights and Responsibilities chose not to punish five students who participated in the encampment against University policies but instead encouraged them "to continue engaging in meaningful discourse," as long as future activities comply with HGSE and University policies.