The U.S. Education Department is launching a civil rights investigation into Columbia University following complaints of discrimination by Palestinian students and their allies. The students allege that they have faced anti-Palestinian, anti-Arab, and Islamophobic harassment from school administrators after protesting against Israel’s war in Gaza. The students claim they have received death threats, been doxxed, and harassed for wearing hijabs or keffiyehs. They also accuse university President Minouche Shafik of failing to promptly respond and end the intimidation on campus. Columbia has been accused of suspending the Students for Justice in Palestine organization, which advocates for Palestinian rights, for engaging in speech activity supporting Palestinian rights.
The Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights will investigate whether Columbia University is adhering to Title VI regulations that prohibit discrimination based on race, color, or national origin. Schools that intentionally violate Title VI may be required to implement certain policy changes or face penalties that affect federal funding. The department may also mediate an agreement between parties. The agency lists two other investigations into Columbia University on its website, although it is unclear if they are related to the recent campus unrest. Both the Education Department and Columbia declined to comment on the ongoing investigations.
Further complicating the situation is a class action lawsuit filed by Jewish students against the university, accusing it of allowing “extremist protesters” to intimidate them and push them off campus. The lawsuit alleges that the university violated safety protocols by failing to protect Jewish students from harassment. University officials did not comment on the lawsuit but stated that they are committed to making Columbia safe for everyone. The contrasting lawsuits from the Jewish students and the Palestinian students highlight the deep divisions and tensions on college campuses across the U.S.
The ongoing unrest at Columbia’s campus has led to mass arrests and confrontations between students and university officials. While Columbia President Minouche Shafik acknowledged the students’ right to express their views and engage in peaceful protest, she also raised concerns about the disruptive environment and safety risks posed by the ongoing demonstrations. The situation underscores the challenges faced by universities in balancing free speech rights with maintaining safety and order on campus. The clash between the Palestinian students advocating for their rights and the Jewish students seeking protection from harassment reflects the broader tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Students like Layla Saliba and Maryam Alwan, who are involved in the complaints against Columbia, emphasize the urgent need for the investigation by the Education Department. Saliba highlights the unwelcoming environment for Palestinian students at Columbia, stating that it should not be controversial to speak out against violence targeting their relatives. Alwan, who was suspended following her arrest during the police intervention at the encampments, echoes the sentiment that expressing Palestinian views at Columbia feels unwelcoming. The investigation and lawsuits at Columbia University shine a spotlight on the complexities of navigating contentious issues related to discrimination and free speech on college campuses amidst ongoing global conflicts.
