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The Guardian
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Columbia adopts controversial definition of antisemitism amid federal grants freeze
Columbia University has agreed to adopt a controversial definition of antisemitism as it pursues an agreement with the Trump aimed at restoring $400m in federal government grants frozen over its alleged failure to protect Jewish students. In a letter to students and staff, the university's acting president, Claire Shipman, said it would incorporate the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism into its anti-discrimination policies as part of a broad overhaul. It is the latest in a string of concessions Columbia has made following criticisms – mainly from pro-Israel groups and Republican members of Congress – that university authorities had tolerated the expression of antisemitic attitudes in pro-Palestinian campus protests following the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza in 2023. 'Columbia is committed to taking all possible steps to combat antisemitism and the University remains dedicated to ensuring that complaints of discrimination and harassment of all types, including complaints based on Jewish and Israeli identity, are treated in the same manner,' wrote Shipman. 'Formally adding the consideration of the IHRA definition into our existing anti-discrimination policies strengthens our approach to combating antisemitism.' The definition, which describes antisemitism as 'a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews', has been adopted by the US state department and several European government and EU groups. However, critics have say it is designed to shield Israel by punishing legitimate criticism of the country. They also complain that it conflates antisemitism with anti-Zionism. Among the examples of criticisms accompanying the definition are 'claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor', 'applying double standards by requiring of [Israel] a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nations' and 'accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel … than to the interests of their own nations'. Donald Trump gave the IHRA definition a significant boost during his presidency by issuing an executive order in 2018 requiring all federal government agencies to take account of it when handling civil rights complaints. In adopting it now, Columbia is following Harvard, which agreed to embrace the definition last January as part of a court settlement reached with Jewish students, who had accused the university of failing to protect them under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The act prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race, religion or ethnic origin in programs or institutions receiving federal funding. While Harvard remains in dispute with the White House after refusing to bow to its demands in return for the unfreezing of federal funding, Columbia has been accused of surrendering vital academic freedoms in an initial agreement with the administration reached last March that will see it reform its protest and security policies, while restricting the autonomy of its Middle Eastern studies department. Shipman has insisted that the university is 'following the law' and denied that it is guilty of 'capitulation'. Sign up to Headlines US Get the most important US headlines and highlights emailed direct to you every morning after newsletter promotion Columbia's previous president, Minouche Shafik, resigned last August following sustained criticism, including in Congress, over her failure to end months of campus protests, despite calling in New York police to dismantle an encampment. In her letter, Shipman said last March's agreement was 'only a starting point for change'. 'The fact that we've faced pressure from the government does not make the problems on our campuses any less real; a significant part of our community has been deeply affected in negative ways,' she wrote. 'Committing to reform on our own is a more powerful path. It will better enable us to recognize our shortcomings and create lasting change.' However, the New York Times recently reported that the university was nearing an agreement to pay Jewish complainants more than $200m in compensation for civil rights violations that would be part of the deal to have its funding restored. The deal is likely to require further reforms in return for restored funding but stops short of requiring a judge-approved consent decree, which had been in an initial draft and would have given the Trump administration significant control over the university.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Columbia adopts controversial definition of antisemitism amid federal grants freeze
Columbia University has agreed to adopt a controversial definition of antisemitism as it pursues an agreement with the Trump aimed at restoring $400m in federal government grants frozen over its alleged failure to protect Jewish students. In a letter to students and staff, the university's acting president, Claire Shipman, said it would incorporate the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism into its anti-discrimination policies as part of a broad overhaul. It is the latest in a string of concessions Columbia has made following criticisms – mainly from pro-Israel groups and Republican members of Congress – that university authorities had tolerated the expression of antisemitic attitudes in pro-Palestinian campus protests following the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza in 2023. 'Columbia is committed to taking all possible steps to combat antisemitism and the University remains dedicated to ensuring that complaints of discrimination and harassment of all types, including complaints based on Jewish and Israeli identity, are treated in the same manner,' wrote Shipman. 'Formally adding the consideration of the IHRA definition into our existing anti-discrimination policies strengthens our approach to combating antisemitism.' The definition, which describes antisemitism as 'a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews', has been adopted by the US state department and several European government and EU groups. Related: Trump administration notches first big win in assault on higher education However, critics have say it is designed to shield Israel by punishing legitimate criticism of the country. They also complain that it conflates antisemitism with anti-Zionism. Among the examples of criticisms accompanying the definition are 'claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor', 'applying double standards by requiring of [Israel] a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nations' and 'accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel … than to the interests of their own nations'. Donald Trump gave the IHRA definition a significant boost during his presidency by issuing an executive order in 2018 requiring all federal government agencies to take account of it when handling civil rights complaints. In adopting it now, Columbia is following Harvard, which agreed to embrace the definition last January as part of a court settlement reached with Jewish students, who had accused the university of failing to protect them under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The act prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race, religion or ethnic origin in programs or institutions receiving federal funding. While Harvard remains in dispute with the White House after refusing to bow to its demands in return for the unfreezing of federal funding, Columbia has been accused of surrendering vital academic freedoms in an initial agreement with the administration reached last March that will see it reform its protest and security policies, while restricting the autonomy of its Middle Eastern studies department. Shipman has insisted that the university is 'following the law' and denied that it is guilty of 'capitulation'. Columbia's previous president, Minouche Shafik, resigned last August following sustained criticism, including in Congress, over her failure to end months of campus protests, despite calling in New York police to dismantle an encampment. In her letter, Shipman said last March's agreement was 'only a starting point for change'. 'The fact that we've faced pressure from the government does not make the problems on our campuses any less real; a significant part of our community has been deeply affected in negative ways,' she wrote. 'Committing to reform on our own is a more powerful path. It will better enable us to recognize our shortcomings and create lasting change.' However, the New York Times recently reported that the university was nearing an agreement to pay Jewish complainants more than $200m in compensation for civil rights violations that would be part of the deal to have its funding restored. The deal is likely to require further reforms in return for restored funding but stops short of requiring a judge-approved consent decree, which had been in an initial draft and would have given the Trump administration significant control over the university. Solve the daily Crossword
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Columbia adopts controversial definition of antisemitism amid federal grants freeze
Columbia University has agreed to adopt a controversial definition of antisemitism as it pursues an agreement with the Trump aimed at restoring $400m in federal government grants frozen over its alleged failure to protect Jewish students. In a letter to students and staff, the university's acting president, Claire Shipman, said it would incorporate the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism into its anti-discrimination policies as part of a broad overhaul. It is the latest in a string of concessions Columbia has made following criticisms – mainly from pro-Israel groups and Republican members of Congress – that university authorities had tolerated the expression of antisemitic attitudes in pro-Palestinian campus protests following the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza in 2023. 'Columbia is committed to taking all possible steps to combat antisemitism and the University remains dedicated to ensuring that complaints of discrimination and harassment of all types, including complaints based on Jewish and Israeli identity, are treated in the same manner,' wrote Shipman. 'Formally adding the consideration of the IHRA definition into our existing anti-discrimination policies strengthens our approach to combating antisemitism.' The definition, which describes antisemitism as 'a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews', has been adopted by the US state department and several European government and EU groups. However, critics have say it is designed to shield Israel by punishing legitimate criticism of the country. They also complain that it conflates antisemitism with anti-Zionism. Among the examples of criticisms accompanying the definition are 'claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor', 'applying double standards by requiring of [Israel] a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nations' and 'accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel … than to the interests of their own nations'. Donald Trump gave the IHRA definition a significant boost during his presidency by issuing an executive order in 2018 requiring all federal government agencies to take account of it when handling civil rights complaints. In adopting it now, Columbia is following Harvard, which agreed to embrace the definition last January as part of a court settlement reached with Jewish students, who had accused the university of failing to protect them under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The act prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race, religion or ethnic origin in programs or institutions receiving federal funding. While Harvard remains in dispute with the White House after refusing to bow to its demands in return for the unfreezing of federal funding, Columbia has been accused of surrendering vital academic freedoms in an initial agreement with the administration reached last March that will see it reform its protest and security policies, while restricting the autonomy of its Middle Eastern studies department. Shipman has insisted that the university is 'following the law' and denied that it is guilty of 'capitulation'. Sign up to Headlines US Get the most important US headlines and highlights emailed direct to you every morning after newsletter promotion Columbia's previous president, Minouche Shafik, resigned last August following sustained criticism, including in Congress, over her failure to end months of campus protests, despite calling in New York police to dismantle an encampment. In her letter, Shipman said last March's agreement was 'only a starting point for change'. 'The fact that we've faced pressure from the government does not make the problems on our campuses any less real; a significant part of our community has been deeply affected in negative ways,' she wrote. 'Committing to reform on our own is a more powerful path. It will better enable us to recognize our shortcomings and create lasting change.' However, the New York Times recently reported that the university was nearing an agreement to pay Jewish complainants more than $200m in compensation for civil rights violations that would be part of the deal to have its funding restored. The deal is likely to require further reforms in return for restored funding but stops short of requiring a judge-approved consent decree, which had been in an initial draft and would have given the Trump administration significant control over the university.
Chicago Tribune
6 days ago
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Columbia University adopts new definition of antisemitism, shuns pro-Palestinian group
Months into its fight to restore federal funding revoked by the Trump administration over antisemitism claims, Columbia University has adopted a new set of policies that include refusing to meet with a coalition of student protesters who pitched tents in support of Gaza. The embattled school also agreed to adopt a definition of antisemitism that recognizes some criticism of Israel as discriminatory toward Jewish students. The late Tuesday announcement comes days after Columbia was reportedly nearing an agreement with the federal government — though acting president Claire Shipman suggested any deal they may reach is 'only a starting point for change,' rather than bending to external demands. 'The fact that we've faced pressure from the government does not make the problems on our campuses any less real,' Shipman wrote to students and faculty. Under the newly outlined plans, the university leader said Columbia has not recognized and will not negotiate with Columbia University Apartheid Divest ('CUAD'), its representatives or allied student groups. It follows similar action taken by Barnard College, its sister school, in recent weeks. In spring 2024, CUAD took credit for the encampment that commandeered the main campus lawns, as its representatives met with university administrators over their demands to take down the tents. When talks failed, the college administration called the NYPD to clear the demonstration — twice. 'Organizations that promote violence or encourage disruptions of our academic mission are not welcome on our campuses and the University will not engage with them,' Shipman wrote. The announcement also said that Columbia's revised understanding of antisemitism will be based on what's known as the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Definition of Antisemitism. Colleges have increasingly used the framework to respond to campus protests — a development welcomed by many supporters of Israel but criticized by protesters who say it infringes on free speech. The definition states that some critiques of Israel as a Jewish state may cross a line into antisemitism, such as denying the Jewish people's right to self-determination or claiming that the existence of Israel is a racist endeavor. Comparing contemporary Israeli policy and that of Nazis would also be considered antisemitic under its terms. Adopting the IHRA antisemitism definition had been one of the Trump administration's prerequisites for resuming negotiations over the flow of federal funding. But Columbia had previously stopped short of fully embracing the approach in its disciplinary cases. 'The formal incorporation of this definition will strengthen our response to and our community's understanding of modern antisemitism,' Shipman said. CUAD acknowledged Shipman's email and her disavowal of the group on X, but reserved its most searing criticism for the new antisemitism definition. 'Columbia and Harvard adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism is a bold step toward protecting students — from having to hear critiques of genocide, apparently,' the group said. 'Soon, the IHRA definition of antisemitism will be standard across higher ed. Not to fight hate, but to criminalize dissent.' In addition, Shipman announced the creation of two new positions, Title VI and Title VII Coordinators, to review and respond to reports of discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin. Those individuals will contribute to an annual report to the president and Board of Trustees and reviewable by the public. Columbia will also launch trainings by the Anti-Defamation League and several other national Jewish organizations and build out programs focused on constructive dialogue. Brian Cohen, executive director of the campus Hillel, welcomed the steps as recognizing a campus antisemitism problem and its impact on Jewish students' sense of safety and belonging. 'I hope this announcement marks the beginning of meaningful and sustained change,' Cohen said.
The Hill
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Columbia announces additional steps to combat antisemitism amid negotiations with Trump administration
Columbia University announced Tuesday additional steps it would take to combat campus antisemitism after months of negotiations with the Trump administration to undo cuts to its funding. Among the steps, the most controversial Columbia President Claire Shipman announced was the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. The definition is widely used among governments and other schools but has been criticized by left-leaning groups because it considers some anti-Zionism advocacy antisemitic. 'Columbia is committed to taking all possible steps to combat antisemitism and the University remains dedicated to ensuring that complaints of discrimination and harassment of all types, including complaints based on Jewish and Israeli identity, are treated in the same manner. Formally adding the consideration of the IHRA definition into our existing anti-discrimination policies strengthens our approach to combating antisemitism,' Shipman wrote. Other actions will include appointing Title VI and Title VII coordinators, additional antisemitism training for faculty, staff and students and affirming a zero-tolerance policy for hate and antisemitism on campus. Two people familiar with the situation told The New York Times a funding deal between Columbia and the administration could come as early as this week. It could include a hefty hundred-million dollar fine and further reforms on campus. 'Our work toward an agreement with the federal government has put a harsh spotlight on many of the difficult issues regarding discrimination and harassment we've seen on our campuses. The fact that we've faced pressure from the government does not make the problems on our campuses any less real; a significant part of our community has been deeply affected in negative ways,' Shipman wrote. 'In my view, any government agreement we reach is only a starting point for change. Committing to reform on our own is a more powerful path. It will better enable us to recognize our shortcomings and create lasting change,' she added. Columbia began cooperating with the federal government after it took away over $400 million in funding for alleged inaction on antisemitism.
