Table Of Content
Like many others, Columbia has seen a rise in complaints of antisemitic incidents on campus. We are taking these complaints seriously and have implemented a number of initiatives to eradicate this hatred and ensure safety on our campus. Trying to reconcile the free speech rights of those who want to protest and the rights of Jewish students to be in an environment free of harassment or discrimination has been the central challenge on our campus, and many others, in recent months. The Task Force was entrusted with three critical efforts, which they have been relentlessly working on since. First, the Task Force was asked to assess the issues affecting Columbia’s Jewish community. Second, they were asked to review the relevant policies, rules, and practices that impact our campus.
c. Columbia University Task Force on Antisemitism
On an ongoing basis, we increased the public safety presence across all of our campuses, brought in external security firms for additional support, and added resources to our existing safety escort programs. This included establishing regular communication with the New York City Police Department, ensuring they were either present or on standby for all major events, including vigils and demonstrations. Columbia has issued an Interim Demonstration Policy to allow students to express their views without endangering the safety or violating the rights of others. This policy limits demonstrations to only certain designated locations and requires groups to provide advance notice. Importantly, there will be, and have been, consequences for those who fail to abide by the new demonstration policy. The new time and place restrictions on protests and corresponding penalties for noncompliance appear to be reducing the number of events that violate University rules.
Columbia University president testifies about antisemitism on college campuses - CBS New York
Columbia University president testifies about antisemitism on college campuses.
Posted: Wed, 17 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
WATCH: Chair Foxx at Columbia University
We worked to contact those directly affected by the attack and to identify the forms of support we could provide our community members—both in the region and on our campus. I attended a vigil for the victims of the Hamas attack on October 9 and connected with members of our community who were dealing with deep distress. Chairwoman Foxx, Ranking Member Scott, and Members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to discuss Columbia University’s efforts to address the rising antisemitism on our campus and within our community. Columbia strives to be a community free of discrimination and hate in all of its forms, and we condemn the antisemitism that is far too pervasive today. We have a responsibility to listen and to respond to our Jewish community. The committee and its five subcommittees oversee education and workforce programs that affect all Americans, from early learning through secondary education, from job training through retirement.
Education and Human Services Policy
We began by focusing on the many campus protests since October 7, which have contributed to a tense campus climate. Last month, we issued a report on the rules governing protests, which offered four main recommendations. DxD has already hosted events focused on facilitating effective and respectful dialogues amongst those with differing opinions. These events were wonderful learning experiences on a wide range of topics and demonstrations that those with differing opinions can have productive debates and discussions—even regarding high-stakes issues.
The Education and Labor Committee's purpose is to ensure that Americans' needs are addressed so that students and workers may move forward in a changing school system and a competitive global economy. The hearing launched further investigations by the committee and continual hearings to combat antisemitism on college campus, ending in Shafik’s Capitol Hill testimony last Wednesday. “Calling for the genocide of a people – whether they are Israelis or Palestinians, Jews, Muslims or anyone else – has no place in a university community.
First, I will focus on my experience with antisemitism as an American Jew. Finally, I will discuss some of the steps that the University has taken, including steps the Trustees have taken, to address antisemitism on our campuses. I am thankful that President Shafik, my co-chair David Greenwald, and I have been able to work collaboratively together—and with the rest of the Board and the administration. I am especially thankful to have President Shafik leading Columbia during this time of turmoil.
Statements From the April 17 Congressional Committee Hearing
This will allow individuals throughout our community to play an active role in building productive bridges across difference and promote more beneficial conversations and collaboration. Our new Dialogue Across Difference (DxD) program is a key part of Values in Action. Takes wide-ranging steps to support the behavioral health of children and school staff, strengthen school-based behavioral health care, and ensure access to mental health and substance use disorder benefits for workers and families. Further, the co-Chairs of the Board of Trustees have extremely frequent calls and meetings with President Shafik and her senior staff to discuss the critical issue of addressing antisemitism on our campuses. Indeed, we had daily calls in the lead up to the announcement of the “Our Community, Our Values” program.
Chair Foxx Statement on Final Fiduciary Rule
The report shows we have much work to do, but its praise of the new Demonstration Policy is a heartening indication that we are moving in the right direction. The Task Force will be releasing additional reports, and we will continue incorporating their findings into our ongoing efforts to make Columbia a welcoming environment for all. Inside the committee also provides a list of publications and resources from which you can review the Rules of the Committee and the U.S. House of Representatives or examine the committee’s oversight plan and budget views.
Columbia president assailed at highly charged antisemitism Congress hearing
These locations are intended to be prominent and central, while limiting interference with ongoing University activities and ensuring that students who wish to stay away from these demonstrations can avoid them. If students wish to hold a demonstration outside of one of these designated areas, they must seek approval. All demonstrations require two working days’ advance registration to ensure that Columbia has time to make necessary safety preparations. Finally, students may not promote a demonstration on campus until after their registration is approved. The policy also lays out a clear procedure for adjudication of alleged violations and consequences for students and student groups who break the rules. University leadership is working with the University Senate—a faculty-led University-wide policymaking body—and relevant internal stakeholders on a longer-term review of our event policies.
I can tell you plainly that I am not satisfied with where Columbia is at this moment. This role is one of the great privileges of my life, and I take the weight of its responsibility seriously. When the university combats antisemitism and other forms of hate, it is essential also to protect academic freedom. Needless to say, members of our community are free to hold different views on the Israeli government and its policies, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Just as Israelis regularly criticize their own government and its policies, it is appropriate (and not antisemitic) for others to do so as well.
When I was four years old, my family’s land and property were seized by the Egyptian government as part of political upheaval in Egypt. Seemingly overnight, I was an immigrant growing up in the American South—Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina—during the desegregation era and amid significant racial tensions. My public schooling allowed me to engage with and learn from people with a wide array of backgrounds and experience overcoming discrimination firsthand.
Other than President Shafik, all 21 current Trustees are volunteers and our roles are parttime. In my case, I had a full-time job as Chairman of the international law firm, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, LLP, a position which I held for ten years until my retirement on February 29th of this year. Regardless of our status, we dedicate significant time, energy, and devotion to our service on the Board.
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