Latest news with #RobertManuel
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Cal Poly president avoids worst of House committee's grilling on antisemitism
Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong testified at a tense hearing before a congressional committee Wednesday morning, fielding questions about the university's response to antisemitism on campus while escaping the worst of panel members' ire. In fact, Armstrong emerged from the hearing rather unscathed — especially compared to the other two university presidents, who at times endured withering questioning from Republicans on the House Committee on Education and Workforce. The goal of the hearing was to hold Cal Poly, Haverford College and DePaul University accountable for 'perpetuating antisemitism,' Committee Chair Tim Walberg said in his opening remarks. Committee members directed most of their questions to Haverford College President Wendy Raymond and DePaul University President Robert Manuel. Raymond faced repeated, aggressive questioning that left her stammering and speechless at times. Both Haverford, a private university in Philadelphia, and DePaul, a Catholic university in Chicago, had far more substantial incidents, including encampments of Pro-Palestine protesters and a Jewish student who was attacked. Attorney and Georgetown University professor David Cole also testified, but not on behalf of the university. In his opening statement, Armstrong condemned the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack as 'horrific' and pledged the university's commitment to creating a safe environment for students regardless of their religious beliefs. 'The violence perpetrated that day must be condemned without equivocation,' he said. 'And the targeting of Jewish students on campuses across the U.S. that followed was terrible and unacceptable.' In defending Cal Poly's response, Armstrong pointed to multiple initiatives the university has made to improve the campus climate, from establishing an antisemitism task force to developing an Interfaith Center. 'Our efforts to support Jewish students and combat antisemitism have made progress,' Armstrong said. 'I want to emphasize that our goal is continuous improvement. We will work to give each student the safest possible environment, free from discrimination and religious intolerance, so they can learn, grow and succeed.' Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong, right, testified before the House Committee on Education and Workforce on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, about antisemitism on the San Luis Obispo campus. He was joined by three others, from left, Haverford College President Wendy Raymond, DePaul University President Robert Manuel and Georgetown University professor David Cole. How is Cal Poly combating antisemitism on campus? Armstrong said that Cal Poly has 'enjoyed a vibrant Jewish community for many years,' adding that the number of Jewish students enrolled at the university has doubled since 2011. Cal Poly is home to student organizations like SLO Hillel and Chabad, who support and advocate for Jewish students. Armstrong said he and his wife have attended many of these organizations' events. To combat antisemitism on campus, Cal Poly bolstered its student orientation program and employee training with more information about antisemitism. Meanwhile, university representatives have attended eight training sessions with the Hillel Campus Climate Initiative, Armstrong said. Cal Poly announced the creation of an antisemitism task force in April, and the university is fundraising to hire a chair of Jewish studies. When asked if Cal Poly was a 'hotbed of antisemitism,' Armstrong simply said, 'No.' Later, when asked if he believed anti-Zionism could constitute national origin discrimination, Armstrong said, 'Yes.' 'We work very hard to make sure all students have a safe learning environment,' Armstrong said. 'We want to make sure they're free from harassment and discrimination, but we also balance that with free speech.' Cal Poly is also working to establish an Interfaith Center, which would support students practicing all types of religions — including Judaism. 'We view that as an opportunity where students can come together, where they can have a dialog,' Armstrong said of the Interfaith Center. The university has been discussing such a center with Chabad, Hillel and other religious leaders for several years, but the COVID-19 pandemic slowed progress on the project, Armstrong said. Rep. Alma Adams, who represents the 12th District of North Carolina, said she felt 'encouraged' by Cal Poly's efforts to establish an Interfaith Center. Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong testifies before the House Committee on Education and Workforce on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, about antisemitism on the San Luis Obispo campus. 'When students gather across faiths and backgrounds to talk, to grieve, to organize together — that's how we build resilience, and that's how we push back against hate,' she said. To address antisemitism along with all forms of discrimination, Adams called for providing resources to the Office of Civil Rights, which investigates allegations of discrimination. The Trump administration, however, has cut seven of the 12 local offices of the Office of Civil Rights, Cole and Democrats on the panel noted. 'Every student, regardless of background, deserves to feel safe, protected and welcomed on campuses, and that includes Jewish students, that includes Muslim students,' Adams said. In a rare display of congeniality during the hearing, Rep. Mark DeSaulnier complimented Armstrong. 'You have one of the highest returns on investment for students,' DeSaulnier said. 'When your graduates get out, they go out to work and make a good return on investment. So thank you for that.' DeSaulnier submitted to the record letters from two Jewish students and SLO Hillel Executive Director Lauren Bandari, which shared that Armstrong's leadership facilitated a safe atmosphere for Jewish students on campus. He then asked Armstrong about the university's partnership with law enforcement. Armstrong said the Cal Poly Police Department collaborates with the San Luis Obispo Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies when necessary. 'We deploy campus police whenever there is potential for threatening activity or trouble, and they make arrests and file criminal charges when justified,' Armstrong said. A Pro-Palestine protest outside the Cal Poly Recreation Center in January 2024 was met with a heavy police presence. The demonstration ended in a violent clash between police and demonstrators and eight arrests. Then, in May 2024, another Pro-Palestine protest at the California Boulevard entrance to campus also ended with eight arrests — that time without incident. Armstrong said the university investigates all allegations of antisemitism or harassment on campus and imposes discipline when appropriate. Since Oct. 7, 2023, six students have been disciplined for antisemitic conduct — with sanctions ranging from a two-quarter suspension to probation, he said. 'At Cal Poly, when people do not live up to our commitment to prohibit prejudice and bias, we hold them accountable,' Armstrong said. 'We have dealt with antisemitism and other forms of discrimination by faculty, staff, visitors and students.' The question of discipline came up repeatedly during the hearing, with all three presidents fielding questions about their universities' processes. But it was the Haverford president who received the brunt of Republican members' anger when she refused to share details. Republican New York Rep. Elise Stefanik repeatedly asked Raymond what disciplinary action her university took against students 'who called for the complete dismantling of the apartheid settler colonial state of Israel by all means necessary.' When Raymond refused to share specifics, Stefanik clapped back. 'You were the one university president who failed to lay out if any disciplinary action has been taken,' Stefanik said. Later, Missouri Republican Rep. Bob Onder also called out Raymond for refusing to answer questions about the university's disciplinary process. 'I suppose it's your First Amendment right to be evasive, but it's also our right to decide that such institutions are not deserving of taxpayer money,' he said. Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong, right, testified before the House Committee on Education and Workforce on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, about antisemitism on the San Luis Obispo campus. He was joined by DePaul University President Robert Manuel, left, Georgetown University professor David Cole and, not pictured, Haverford College President Wendy Raymond. Cal Poly president grilled about DEI South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson used some of his time to grill Armstrong about diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, calling the Cal Poly president 'an outspoken DEI proponent.' 'I believe that DEI chills and actually restricts and restrains academic freedom. It's been my view that diversity means no ideological diversity,' Wilson said. Wilson asked Armstrong how he viewed diversity, equity and inclusion. 'Cal Poly, since I've been there, we've focused on student success — and all student success,' Armstrong said. Wilson then interrupted Armstrong and asked, 'Does that mean equity for everybody? They all get the same grades?' 'Oh no, sir,' Armstrong said. 'We have been admitting students under Prop. 209, (which) has been in existence for more than 25 years in California, so we've been operating under an affirmative action ban during that time, and we have had significant changes in the makeup of our population, because we've increased financial aid and made students more able to — ' Wilson then interrupted Armstrong again to ask what percentage of Cal Poly's professors were conservative, before answering his own question. 'I'm sadly concerned there are none, or very few,' Wilson said, without giving Armstrong the chance to respond. Democrats criticize the hearing The stated intent of the hearing was to hold universities accountable for antisemitic incidents on campus and enact 'policies that create a safe environment for Jewish students,' Wallberg said in his opening statement. Numerous Democrats on the committee, however, questioned the sincerity of this effort. Virginia Democrat Rep. Bobby Scott explained that Title VI of the Civil Rights Act promises all students the right to learn in a safe environment free of discrimination. The Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights investigates allegations of discrimination and enforces compliance with the law. If a student alleged that a campus didn't provide a safe learning environment, the Office of Civil Rights has a process for investigating and disciplining the university. If the university doesn't comply with the office's requirements, the Department of Education can withhold funds, Scott said. Scott said the Title VI process is more effective for addressing antisemitism than the committee's Wednesday hearing. However, the Trump administration closed seven of the Office of Civil Rights' 12 regional offices and laid off 'nearly half' of its staff — preventing the office from investigating and punishing antisemitic incidents the committee wished to protect students from, Scott said. 'That raises reasonable doubt about the plans for addressing antisemitism on campus, as well as racism, homophobia, sexism, Islamophobia or the needs of students with disabilities,' Scott said. 'We should be focused on trying to solve the problem rather than just complaining about it.' Instead of holding hearings about antisemitism, he called for the committee to empower the Office of Civil Rights to conduct fact-finding investigations into each incident and address them accordingly. Cole explained that only two types of antisemitic speech violate Title VI, the first being if the speech targets an individual because they are Jewish. 'Not because he supports Israel, but because of his Jewish identity specifically,' Cole said. If the speech isn't targeted at an individual, such as at a rally, it only violates Title VI if 'it is so severe, pervasive and objectively offensive that it denies equal access to an education,' Cole said. The Office of Civil Rights investigates such incidents to balance free speech with the safety of students and compliance with Title VI, Cole said. 'The line between protected antisemitic speech and prohibited antisemitic discrimination is necessarily fact-intensive. It requires a careful assessment of what was said to whom and why it was said,' Cole said. 'As a result, it is not sufficient to make general accusations of antisemitism, as members of this committee have repeatedly done in all of the prior hearings and already today.' Holding a hearing for each alleged antisemitic incident, with testimony from the perpetrator and the complainant, would be a more effective way to investigate and address antisemitism than this hearing, Cole said. 'You need to look at what happened, hear both sides of the encounter, and make a legal assessment, not a political harangue,' Cole said. Texas Democrat Rep. Greg Casar's comments were perhaps the most scathing of the day. He asked Republican committee members to raise their hand if they condemned President Donald Trump for saying there were 'fine people on both sides' after white supremacists and Neo-nazis marched through Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017. He then asked them to raise their hand if they condemned U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for spreading an antisemitic conspiracy theory 'that COVID was engineered to target white and black people, but spare Jewish people.' 'Not a single Republican today has been willing to condemn any of this antisemitism,' Casar said. 'If my Republican colleagues want to stop the spread of antisemitism, maybe they should stop apologizing for and promoting anti-Semites.' He also called for the strengthening of the Office of Civil Rights. 'This hearing called by the Republican majority is all about Trump Republicans distorting the definition of antisemitism to silence anyone, including Jewish students, who speak out, nonviolently, against what the Israeli government is doing,' he said. 'The Republican plan is not about keeping Jewish students safe. It's about keeping the Israeli government safe from any form of criticism. That is a disservice to the truth.' In their letter to the committee, Cal Poly students Avi Shapiro and Benjamin Broudy said they appreciated the hearing. 'The work that the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development and the House Committee on Education and Workforce is doing to publicize and help prevent future antisemitic incidents is incredibly important in keeping Jewish college students safe and comfortable,' the letter said. 'When university students are not doing well, universities are not doing well. It is necessary, and a huge step in the right direction, to put a spotlight on universities that have failed their Jewish students and who have made zero effort to combat antisemitism on their campuses.' Letter detailed allegations of antisemitism at Cal Poly Armstrong was called to testify in an April 21 letter that the committee sent a letter to the Cal Poly president and CSU Trustee Jack Clarke Jr. It detailed new allegations of antisemitism on the university's campus. The letter repeated claims outlined by the Anti-Defamation League, an organization known for its pro-Israel advocacy, in its Campus Antisemitism Report Card, which originally gave Cal Poly an 'F' rating. The rating was later raised to a 'D' after Cal Poly implemented new policies, according to the report card website — and the boost occurred just days after Cal Poly announced a new antisemitism task force. The Anti-Defamation League's analysis found that Cal Poly had high levels of 'hostile' and 'anti-Zionist' students and faculty, and the university's administration was marked down in the report for not publicly condemning antisemitic incidents on campus, according to the organization. The committee letter relied on these claims to justify Armstrong's appearance and cited 'alleged verbal harassment' of Jewish students by a Cal Poly professor in April 2024 outside a lecture on campus by a former Israeli Defense Force soldier. 'The alleged harassment included a Cal Poly professor, while holding a Palestinian flag, confronting Jewish students and attendees in the lobby and stating 'You are Zionists — you are part of the KKK,'' the letter reads. 'The same professor, while standing in the lobby near the entrance, allegedly held the Palestinian flag over the face of a woman as she entered the lobby and stated 'F--- Israel.'' Despite that list of grievances, committee members did not question Armstrong about any particular incident.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
DePaul students decry president's testimony, say antisemitism efforts silence Pro-Palestinian voices
The Brief About 50 DePaul students protested President Manuel's remarks, claiming they silenced pro-Palestinian voices. Organizers accused the university of suppressing Palestinian activism and ignoring student concerns. DePaul defended its stance, citing new antisemitism policies and a commitment to free expression. CHICAGO - Dozens of DePaul University students are voicing deep frustration in response to testimony delivered Wednesday by President Robert Manuel, who heads the private university. What we know Following Manuel's remarks on Capitol Hill, a group of Pro-Palestinian students and alumni gathered outside the DePaul University Student Center to express their outrage. They feel that in condemning antisemitism, the president is also suppressing their rights. "This hearing was not about Jewish safety, it was about suppression of descent," said Ashley, a student. During the rally, attended by about 50 people, security was heightened—with both campus safety personnel and Chicago police officers present. "The administration has spent millions of dollars, students' dollars, on a multi-stage repression campaign in response to minor property damage on the Quad," Ashley said. The rally was organized by several groups, including Students for Justice in Palestine, which remains suspended on campus for its involvement in the 2024 campus encampment. "We believe that fostering an environment where diverse perspectives can be shared without fear of retribution is essential to fulfilling DePaul's mission," said Jaricha Klinkner, mission & ministry liaison with the DePaul Student Government Association. Organizers allege that the university has criminalized Palestinian students and attempted to block their ability to protest. They claim that officials also haven't acknowledged the challenges and threats Palestinian students face. "Not once since the start of this school year has Robert [Manuel] attempted to meet with any Palestinian students. Harvard University established a task force to combat anti-Muslim and anti-Arab discrimination but DePaul and Robert Manuel continue to sanction the only Palestinian-led activist groups on campus," said Olivia Zayed, a DePaul student. Statement from DePaul In a statement, a university spokesperson said: "At DePaul, we embrace academic freedom and free expression. We support and welcome dissent and debate. We will not condone any speech or expression in the classroom or anywhere at DePaul that serves only to threaten or intimidate members of our university community. We also require our community to adhere to DePaul's Demonstration Guidelines. These guidelines provide clarity on how our students, faculty, and staff can safely and productively engage in demonstration activities while following DePaul's policies and procedures. "President Manuel is grateful for the opportunity to meet with our lawmakers and describe all that DePaul has done to confront antisemitism on campus. Throughout his testimony, he shared the actions DePaul has taken to strengthen and protect our community. Combating antisemitism requires vigilance, humility, and a commitment to continuous learning. We have implemented systemic changes designed to eliminate antisemitism at DePaul and affirm our values of safety, belonging, and shared responsibility. Some of these include implementing a new Identity Verification Policy, appointing a Special Advisor to the President on Jewish Engagement who will lead a university task force dedicated to combating antisemitism, and creating a Jewish alumni affinity group to build meaningful connections among Jewish graduates." What's next President Manuel issued a letter to the campus community on Wednesday, writing that he condemns "all forms of hate." During his testimony, Manuel explained that the university has also implemented an 'Identity Verification Policy.' Under the policy, if students are asked to identify themselves with a photo ID, they must comply. Additionally, he explained that if their identity is obscured, campus security officers are permitted to ask students to remove their face coverings for the purpose of identification. "Officers receive regular policy training to ensure it is administered fairly and consistently and will accommodate individual medical or religious needs. Refusal to comply can result in trespass, removal from campus, or disciplinary action," Manuel said during his remarks on Wednesday.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
DePaul University president grilled by House Education and Workforce Committee over campus antisemitism
WASHINGTON (AP/WGN) — DePaul University President Robert Manuel and the heads of two other colleges were grilled before the House Education and Workforce Committee (HEWC) Wednesday. Manuel and his counterparts were berated by Republican lawmakers in a congressional hearing on campus antisemitism, with some suggesting schools should lose federal funding because if they refuse to discuss student discipline in the wake of pro-Palestinian protests. 'You knew yourself there was a problem, but decided not to remove it. Why?' said Republican Rep. Lisa McClain of Michigan. 'At that moment, we realized the security of safety of everyone was at jeopardy,' Manuel said. 'That is the moment we decided to work with CPD.' 'And it took you six days?' McClain said. Committee members also asked Manuel how he plans to stop the spread of anti-Semitism at DePaul. 'We've taken strong steps to support our Jewish community members prioritizing campus safety and student well being,' Manuel said. 'We have made mistakes along the way. As DePaul's leader, I want to acknowledge that openly.' Just this week, DePaul announced a new policy requiring staff and students to remove masks or face coverings if asked by a public safety officer. The university has also suspended some pro-Palestinian groups on campus like 'Students for Justice in Palestine,' which spoke out Wednesday on Manuel's testimony. 'Today, we heard from President Manuel himself, testify and brag about silencing and repressing Palestinian voices, which he claims will keep other students safe,' Olivia Zaied said. 'He has made it clear that he supports the stereotyping of Palestinian students as violent criminals not worthy of free speech.' Last October, Jewish students at DePaul, Max Long and Michael Kaminsky, were attacked on the university's campus in what was investigated as a hate crime. At the hearing Wednesday, Manuel apologized to the young men. 'What happened to them was a hate crime,' Manuel said. 'No one should ever be attacked because of who they are, and I'm sorry for the pain they're experiencing.' Wendy Raymond, the president of Haverford College, was singled out as the only one who would not detail punishments for students and faculty accused of anti-Jewish bias during the hearing. Asked repeatedly, Raymond said her institution does not publicize the outcomes of disciplinary processes. 'I suppose it's your First Amendment right to be evasive, but it's also our right to decide that such institutions are not deserving of taxpayer money,' said Republican Rep. Bob Onder of Missouri. Also appearing before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce were Jeffrey Armstrong of California Polytechnic State University. It was the latest in a series of hearings scrutinizing university presidents over their responses to allegations of anti-Jewish bias in the wake of Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on Israel and a wave of protests that swept the nation's campuses. Unlike others that featured leaders of Harvard, Columbia and other elite institutions — with stumbles that later contributed to their resignations — this one intentionally focused on lesser-known schools. Republicans sought to look beyond the Ivy League to underscore the pervasiveness of antisemitism on U.S. campuses. The committee's leaders aimed to choose a diverse mix of colleges. Haverford is a small liberal arts school outside Philadelphia, founded by Quakers. Cal Poly is a campus of 22,000 students in San Luis Obispo, California. DePaul is a Catholic university in the city's Lincoln Park neighborhood. For more than three hours, Republicans grilled the presidents over reports of anti-Jewish harassment on their campuses, ranging from social media posts to the attack of Long and Kaminsky. Democrats denounced the hearing, calling it political theater that does little to fight discrimination. The trio of presidents mostly struck a deferential tone, acknowledging some missteps while highlighting work to make students feel safer. Raymond joined Manuel in apologizing for shortcomings, while Armstrong said 'We have to do better' holding people accountable for prejudice. But while the presidents of Cal Poly and DePaul shared information on disciplinary action against antisemitism, Raymond refused. 'We do not talk about those numbers publicly,' she said when pressed on the question. She acknowledged some action had taken but declined to go further. It drew a searing rebuke from Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., known for orchestrating fiery exchanges with former presidents of Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania that contributed to their resignations last year. 'Respectfully, president of Haverford, many people have sat in this position who are no longer in their positions as presidents of universities for their failure to answer straightforward questions,' Stefanik said. Stefanik questioned Raymond over a professor's social media post describing the Hamas attacks as 'imprisoned people breaking free from their chains.' Raymond called it repugnant but refused to discuss individual cases. Other Republicans endorsed the idea of funding cuts for schools that refuse to disclose punishments, saying Congress should explore the issue. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie of Pennsylvania said it should be a baseline for receiving funding. Republicans began the series of hearings in late 2023 and have routinely called education leaders to Capitol Hill to testify. Those called include chiefs of Harvard, Columbia, Penn, Northwestern University and the University of California, Los Angeles. The Trump administration has separately frozen billions of dollars in grants to colleges targeted by a federal antisemitism task force. Those targeted include Columbia, Penn and Harvard, which is suing to restore $2.2 billion in grants. The Education Department doubled down last week, saying Harvard is no longer eligible for new grants. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
Axios
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Axios
DePaul University president testifies on antisemitism
DePaul president Robert Manuel was the latest local university president called to Washington to testify on allegations of antisemitism at their schools. Why it matters: Students at DePaul have joined campuses across the country since 2023 in calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war and urging university leadership to divest from any financial attachments in Israel. Driving the news: Manuel and leaders from Haverford College and California Polytechnic State University (San Luis Obispo) testified Wednesday before the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Catch up quick: Two Jewish students were allegedly attacked at DePaul in November. The Cook County State's Attorney confirmed last month that a suspect had been arrested and charged with two counts of a hate crime and two counts of aggravated battery with great bodily harm. What they're saying: Manuel used his opening statement to apologize to the students who were allegedly attacked: "No one should ever be attacked because of who they are, and I am sorry for the pain that they are experiencing." "For the past year and a half, we have taken concrete steps to ensure Jewish students and all students are safe on our campus. We've introduced new limits on campus protests through our time, place and manner restrictions, and we've enforced them." State of play: Republican U.S. Rep. Mary Miller questioned Manuel on the school's response to the encampments, claiming that of the schools present at Wednesday's hearing, DePaul had the most, and asked how many students had been suspended. Manuel said two student groups had been suspended and two people had been arrested, which Miller mocked as not enough. Between the lines: The hearing was the eighth time the committee has publicly questioned university leaders about antisemitism.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
DePaul president apologizes for antisemitism on campus at congressional hearing
DePaul University's President Robert Manuel testified before the U.S. House Education and Workforce Committee Wednesday morning, apologizing for any harm caused to Jewish students, faculty and staff since the terrorist attacks by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023. Manuel joined the presidents of Haverford College and California Polytechnic State University at the hearing in Washington, D.C. to address the rise of antisemitism on college campuses in the wake of Israel's response to the attacks and subsequent war in Gaza. DePaul has taken concrete steps to ensure Jewish students are safe on campus since the attack, Manuel told the committee, including suspending pro-Palestine groups on campus, such as Students for Justice in Palestine, and banning another group called Behind Enemy Lines. The university has also invited a former Anti-Defamation League expert to assist with 'Jewish engagement on campus,' Manuel said, and created a dedicated task force on anti-Semitism. In April 2024, student groups at DePaul University, a longtime locus of student organizing in solidarity with Palestine, launched an encampment to protest the war, joining demonstrations on campuses across the country. In the past year, Manuel said the university has made 'substantial investments' to increase security and safety across its Chicago campuses and has commissioned an external review of security programs to improve campus safety. 'Going forward, you have my commitment that we are focused on continuing to make real progress and take action,' Manuel said. 'As a person of faith, I'm personally committed to confronting anti-semitism wherever it appears in our institutions, in our communities, and in ourselves.' In April, DePaul was sued for accusations of failing to address antisemitism following pro-Palestinian student demonstrations on campuses across the country last year. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
