Latest news with #MiddleStatesCommissiononHigherEducation
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Columbia's accreditation threatened over harassment of Jewish students
June 4 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Education is threatening Columbia University's accreditation because the agency said the New York private school violated Title IX by not cracking down on harassment of Jewish students. The federal department on Wednesday notified the nonprofit and private Middle States Commission on Higher Education that Columbia is in violation of federal antidiscrimination laws and fails to meet the standards for accreditation set by the commission. On May 22, the Education Department's Office for Civil Rights and the Department of Health and Human Services' Office for Civil Rights "determined that Columbia University acted with deliberate indifference toward the harassment of Jewish students, thereby violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964." The act prohibits recipients of federal funding from discriminating on the basis of race, color or national origin. "Specifically, OCR and HHS OCR found that Columbia failed to meaningfully protect Jewish students against severe and pervasive harassment on Columbia's campus and consequently denied these students' equal access to educational opportunities to which they are entitled under the law," the release Wednesday said. In a statement posted on its website: "Columbia is aware of the concerns raised by the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights today to our accreditor, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and we have addressed those concerns directly with Middle States. Columbia is deeply committed to combatting antisemitism on our campus. We take this issue seriously and are continuing to work with the federal government to address it." Under federal law, private accreditors are required to notify any member institution about a federal noncompliance finding and establish a plan to come into compliance. An accreditor must take appropriate action against a member institution if they remain noncompliant. "In light of OCR's determination, Columbia University no longer appears to meet the Commission's accreditation standards," the Education Department said. On Feb. 3, OCR initiated a directed investigation of Columbia University on the harassment. When an institution does not meet accreditation standards, it may be placed on probation or issued a warning, according to the Middle States Commission. Rawan Abbasi, assistant director for communications for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, told NBCNews the accreditor is "aware of the press release issued today by the United States Department of Education (USDE) regarding Columbia University and can confirm that we received a letter regarding this matter this afternoon. In March, the Trump administration paused $400 million in federal funding, including for medical and scientific research, at Columbia. In May, the school said it had agreed to the administration's demands regarding the harassment of Jewish students. The school said it was forced cut 180 staffers whose jobs were funded by the federal grants. Despite the Trump administration's actions, students protested the war like last year's encampments. On May 7, two Columbia University Public Safety officers were injured after 100 pro-Palestinian protesters forced their way into the campus' library in "actions that are outrageous," the university president said. About 22.8% of Columbia's 6,578 undergraduate students, or 1,500, are Jewish, according to Hillel International. Jewish graduate school enrollment is 15.9% of the 22,000 total. "After Hamas' October 7, 2023, terror attack on Israel, Columbia University's leadership acted with deliberate indifference towards the harassment of Jewish students on its campus," Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in the news release. "This is not only immoral, but also unlawful. Accreditors have an enormous public responsibility as gatekeepers of federal student aid. "They determine which institutions are eligible for federal student loans and Pell Grants. Just as the Department of Education has an obligation to uphold federal antidiscrimination law, university accreditors have an obligation to ensure member institutions abide by their standards. The war in the Middle East began when Hamas invaded Israel, killing more than 1,200 people and taking hundreds more hostage. Israel retaliated on the Gaza Strip, and more than 54,000 Palestinians have died, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. McMahan said she looked forward to the "Commission keeping the Department fully informed of actions taken to ensure Columbia's compliance with accreditation standards, including compliance with federal civil rights laws." President Donald Trump signed an executive order in April, called Reforming Accreditation to Strengthen Higher Education, that the department "has an obligation to promptly provide accreditors with any noncompliance findings related to member institutions." Other universities have told to comply school policy changes or risk losing federal funding after they were accused of tolerating antisemitism on campus or other violations. On May 29, a federal judge blocked the Trump administration from its attempt to deny Harvard University's ability to admit international students. The Trump administration has paused $2.2 billion in funding and canceled remaining contracts for the school in Cambridge, Mass., after the private school rejected demands, including changes to its hiring practices and policies regarding "viewpoint diversity" on campus.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Failed to protect Jewish students': Trump administration threatens Columbia University's accreditation
The US Department of Education on Wednesday said that it has notified a university accreditation body that the Columbia University has violated the anti-discrimination laws as it alleged that the university failed to protect the civil rights of Jewish students on its campus, in an attempt to strip Columbia off its accreditation credentials. The Education department further alleged that Columbia University's failure to meet the accreditation criteria means it doesn't meet the standards of accreditation set by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. In a letter, Education Secretary Linda McMahon alleged that Columbia University 'acted with deliberate indifference towards the harassment of Jewish students in a manner that violated federal anti-discrimination laws,' BBC reported. 'Accreditors have an enormous public responsibility as gatekeepers of federal student aid. They determine which institutions are eligible for federal student loans and Pell Grants,' Linda further explained. Columbia University looked the other way as Jewish students faced harassment—breaking Title VI protections. @usedgov has stepped in and alerted Columbia's accreditor to demand the protection of every student's rights and safety—no — Secretary Linda McMahon (@EDSecMcMahon) June 4, 2025 US President Donald Trump has criticized Columbia University and other US colleges for not being able to protect the rights of Jewish students on their respective campuses, while the war in Gaza was ongoing and anti-war and pro-Palestine protests took place in the US varsities' campus. A Columbia University spokesperson said in a statement that it has addressed the Education department's concerns directly with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and continues to work with the federal government to counter antisemitism on campus. Columbia, like other Ivy League schools, has been facing pressure from the Trump administration for months. In February, White House stripped Columbia of $400m in federal funding, alleging antisemitism at the campus. It remains to be seen how the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, which is an independent body, would respond to the notification. In her letter, McMahon stated 'Leadership of Columbia failed to meaningfully protect Jewish students against severe and pervasive harassment on Columbia's campus.'
UPI
2 days ago
- Politics
- UPI
Columbia's accreditation threatened over harassment of Jewish students
June 4 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Education is threatening Columbia University's accreditation because the agency said the New York private school violated Title IX by not cracking down on harassment of Jewish students. The federal department on Wednesday notified the nonprofit and private Middle States Commission on Higher Education that Columbia is in violation of federal antidiscrimination laws and fails to meet the standards for accreditation set by the commission. On May 22, the Education Department's Office for Civil Rights and the Department of Health and Human Services' Office for Civil Rights "determined that Columbia University acted with deliberate indifference toward the harassment of Jewish students, thereby violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964." The act prohibits recipients of federal funding from discriminating on the basis of race, color or national origin. "Specifically, OCR and HHS OCR found that Columbia failed to meaningfully protect Jewish students against severe and pervasive harassment on Columbia's campus and consequently denied these students' equal access to educational opportunities to which they are entitled under the law," the release Wednesday said. In a statement posted on its website: "Columbia is aware of the concerns raised by the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights today to our accreditor, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and we have addressed those concerns directly with Middle States. Columbia is deeply committed to combatting antisemitism on our campus. We take this issue seriously and are continuing to work with the federal government to address it." Under federal law, private accreditors are required to notify any member institution about a federal noncompliance finding and establish a plan to come into compliance. An accreditor must take appropriate action against a member institution if they remain noncompliant. "In light of OCR's determination, Columbia University no longer appears to meet the Commission's accreditation standards," the Education Department said. On Feb. 3, OCR initiated a directed investigation of Columbia University on the harassment. When an institution does not meet accreditation standards, it may be placed on probation or issued a warning, according to the Middle States Commission. Rawan Abbasi, assistant director for communications for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, told NBCNews the accreditor is "aware of the press release issued today by the United States Department of Education (USDE) regarding Columbia University and can confirm that we received a letter regarding this matter this afternoon. In March, the Trump administration paused $400 million in federal funding, including for medical and scientific research, at Columbia. In May, the school said it had agreed to the administration's demands regarding the harassment of Jewish students. The school said it was forced cut 180 staffers whose jobs were funded by the federal grants. Despite the Trump administration's actions, students protested the war like last year's encampments. On May 7, two Columbia University Public Safety officers were injured after 100 pro-Palestinian protesters forced their way into the campus' library in "actions that are outrageous," the university president said. About 22.8% of Columbia's 6,578 undergraduate students, or 1,500, are Jewish, according to Hillel International. Jewish graduate school enrollment is 15.9% of the 22,000 total. "After Hamas' October 7, 2023, terror attack on Israel, Columbia University's leadership acted with deliberate indifference towards the harassment of Jewish students on its campus," Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in the news release. "This is not only immoral, but also unlawful. Accreditors have an enormous public responsibility as gatekeepers of federal student aid. "They determine which institutions are eligible for federal student loans and Pell Grants. Just as the Department of Education has an obligation to uphold federal antidiscrimination law, university accreditors have an obligation to ensure member institutions abide by their standards. The war in the Middle East began when Hamas invaded Israel, killing more than 1,200 people and taking hundreds more hostage. Israel retaliated on the Gaza Strip, and more than 54,000 Palestinians have died, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. McMahan said she looked forward to the "Commission keeping the Department fully informed of actions taken to ensure Columbia's compliance with accreditation standards, including compliance with federal civil rights laws." President Donald Trump signed an executive order in April, called Reforming Accreditation to Strengthen Higher Education, that the department "has an obligation to promptly provide accreditors with any noncompliance findings related to member institutions." Other universities have told to comply school policy changes or risk losing federal funding after they were accused of tolerating antisemitism on campus or other violations. On May 29, a federal judge blocked the Trump administration from its attempt to deny Harvard University's ability to admit international students. The Trump administration has paused $2.2 billion in funding and canceled remaining contracts for the school in Cambridge, Mass., after the private school rejected demands, including changes to its hiring practices and policies regarding "viewpoint diversity" on campus.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Columbia University accused of violating federal laws and failing to meet standards
NEW YORK (PIX11) – Columbia University violates federal antidiscrimination laws and fails to meet the standards for accreditation, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights announced on Wednesday. The OCR notified the agency accrediting degree-granting institutions, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. More Local News In February 2025, the OCR initiated an investigation into whether Columbia University discriminated against or tolerated violence against students and faculty based on their Jewish ancestry, in violation of Title VI. In May, an investigation by the OCR concluded that Columbia University had acted with 'indifference' towards the harassment of Jewish students, according to the DOE. 'After Hamas' October 7, 2023, terror attack on Israel, Columbia University's leadership acted with deliberate indifference towards the harassment of Jewish students on its campus. This is not only immoral, but also unlawful. Accreditors have an enormous public responsibility as gatekeepers of federal student aid. They determine which institutions are eligible for federal student loans and Pell Grants. Just as the Department of Education has an obligation to uphold federal antidiscrimination law, university accreditors have an obligation to ensure member institutions abide by their standards,' said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. 'We look forward to the Commission keeping the Department fully informed of actions taken to ensure Columbia's compliance with accreditation standards, including compliance with federal civil rights laws.' It remains unclear what steps the Middle States Commission on Higher Education will take in the future. Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Campus crackdown: US education department threatens Columbia University's accreditation; cites antisemitism concerns
Columbia University campus (File photo) The US administration led by President Donald Trump has intensified its conflict with Columbia University, stating that the institution fails to meet accreditation criteria due to inadequate protection of Jewish students. "After Hamas' October 7, 2023, terror attack on Israel, Columbia University's leadership acted with deliberate indifference towards the harassment of Jewish students on its campus," stated US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon on Wednesday. The Office for Civil Rights at the US Department of Education announced Wednesday that it had informed the Middle States Commission on Higher Education about Columbia University's alleged Title VI Civil Rights Act violation, as per an Education Department release. "The US Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) today notified Middle States Commission on Higher Education (the Commission) that its member institution, Columbia University, is in violation of federal antidiscrimination laws and therefore fails to meet the standards for accreditation set by the Commission," stated the release. The federal body claimed that the university appears to no longer satisfy the commission's accreditation requirements. The comes as the US government escalates its scrutiny of elite academic institutions regarding allegations of widespread antisemitism and progressive prejudice. According to Columbia's website, accreditation, administered by non-profit organisations, is essential for university students to access federal funding, including grants and loans. "We look forward to the Commission keeping the Department fully informed of actions taken to ensure Columbia's compliance with accreditation standards including compliance with federal civil rights laws," McMahon added to her statement. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education acknowledged, to CNN, the receipt of Wednesday's letter. Columbia faced accusations last month of breaching federal civil rights law through "deliberate indifference" to Jewish student harassment since October 7, 2023, corresponding with Hamas's attack and Israel's subsequent military response in Gaza. A Columbia representative characterised these findings as progression in their collaborative efforts with the government to address antisemitism on campus. This forms part of the federal government's Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism initiatives, established following Trump's February executive order. Trump further addressed college accreditation through an April executive order, directing the education secretary to ensure accreditors' accountability through various measures for poor performance or Civil Rights Act violations, as detailed by a White House official to CNN. The Education Department confirmed Wednesday its responsibility to inform accreditors about member institutions' non-compliance findings, in accordance with Trump's executive order. Leading US universities, including Columbia, face substantial pressure from the administration to implement policy changes or risk losing federal support. In March, Columbia implemented comprehensive policy changes after the administration threatened to withdraw $400 million in grants and contracts over alleged insufficient action against campus antisemitism.
