Columbia University has become the latest elite institution to be drawn into a congressional investigation into antisemitism on campus, following similar scrutiny of Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania.
The House Committee on Education and the Workforce announced it is expanding its probe into how universities are handling antisemitic incidents amid rising tensions linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Columbia now joins Harvard and UPenn, whose leaders faced intense questioning during a high-profile congressional hearing last month.
Growing Pressure on Ivy League Schools
The investigation comes as pro-Palestinian protests at several top universities have sparked accusations of antisemitism and created an increasingly hostile environment for Jewish students. Lawmakers have accused university administrations of failing to adequately protect students and address discrimination.
In a letter to Columbia President Minouche Shafik, the committee demanded documents and communications related to antisemitic incidents, disciplinary actions, and the university's policies on protests and harassment.
Fallout from Congressional Hearing
The probe follows December's explosive hearing where the presidents of Harvard and UPenn struggled to answer whether calls for Jewish genocide would violate campus policies. UPenn's Liz Magill resigned shortly after, while Harvard's Claudine Gay stepped down amid separate plagiarism allegations.
Columbia now faces similar scrutiny as lawmakers examine whether elite universities have created environments where Jewish students feel unsafe. The investigation could lead to subpoenas if institutions fail to comply with document requests.
This developing story highlights growing tensions on college campuses and increasing congressional oversight of higher education institutions.
