Republican lawmaker Jim Banks criticized Columbia University President Minouche Shafik for misleading Congress about a controversial orientation document that contained offensive terms related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, such as “Ashkenormativity.” Banks accused Shafik of offering contradictory testimony about the origins of the document, which he claimed had been sent to him by a former student and was not just a student-generated creation as Shafik suggested.
The “Review the DEI Glossary Terms” document was initially featured on the Columbia School of Social Work’s website but was removed following backlash. A former Columbia undergraduate, who worked as an orientation leader, revealed that the glossary was not a student-made creation, as Shafik implied, but had been authorized by the school. Shafik and members of the Columbia University Board of Trustees were questioned by Banks during a House Education and Workforce Committee hearing about terms such as “Ashkenormativity.”
During the hearing, Banks confronted Shafik and the trustees about their knowledge and acceptance of terms like “Ashkenormativity,” which he described as offensive and inappropriate for distribution to students. Shafik claimed not to be familiar with the term and stated that she did not agree with or condone it. However, Board of Trustees co-chair David Greenwald and fellow trustee chair Claire Shipman expressed shock at the term and its usage in the document.
In addition to criticizing the use of offensive terms in the orientation material, Banks also accused Shafik of providing false testimony about an investigation into a faculty member, Professor Joseph Massad, for alleged antisemitic conduct. House Education and Workforce chairwoman Virginia Foxx refuted Shafik’s claims of an investigation and accused her of providing false information. The Education panel is currently investigating Columbia University and other institutions for their handling of antisemitism on campus.
Banks has requested that Shafik provide clarification by a specified date regarding whether the DEI glossary was sanctioned by the Columbia School of Social Work, whether the university funded it, and who was responsible for creating the document. The controversy surrounding the orientation document has reignited concerns about antisemitism on the Columbia University campus and the need for universities to address issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in a responsible and appropriate manner.
Overall, the confrontation between Republican lawmaker Jim Banks and Columbia University President Minouche Shafik highlights broader issues related to the use of offensive language in educational materials, the responsibility of universities to address antisemitism on campus, and the importance of accurate and transparent communication from university leadership. The incident underscores the ongoing challenges universities face in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion while maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all students, faculty, and staff.
