Three college presidents expressed regret for their insufficient actions to address antisemitism on their campuses during a House committee hearing on Wednesday, which aimed to examine issues in higher education beyond the Ivy League.
Wendy Raymond, president of Haverford College, stated, “I am sorry that my actions and my leadership let you down,” emphasizing her commitment to improving the situation for Jewish students.
The House Committee on Education and the Workforce has conducted several hearings since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent conflict in Gaza. This hearing echoed a previous one in December 2023, which resulted in the resignations of the presidents of the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard.
During the hearing, the Republican majority threatened to withhold federal funding from schools that do not comply with their requests. The Democratic minority accused Republicans of enabling antisemitism within their ranks while using it politically against others. University leaders attempted to navigate the challenging landscape of showing remorse without compromising academic freedom.
The hearing primarily reflected on events from the past year, as campuses dealt with protests and mass arrests. Although the war continues, protests have diminished, with some exceptions, such as a notable protest at the University of Washington, which was quickly dispersed.
The Republican scrutiny of universities has intensified, with investigations launched by the Trump administration into numerous institutions accused of antisemitism. The administration has also cut funding from schools deemed unresponsive to protest-related issues, particularly in Democratic-leaning states.
The hearing, titled “Beyond the Ivies,” aimed to highlight that antisemitism is a nationwide issue affecting various educational institutions. The three presidents from Haverford, DePaul University, and California Polytechnic State University were prepared for the questions, with Cal Poly recently improving its Anti-Defamation League grade.
Dr. Raymond faced pointed questioning from Congresswoman Elise Stefanik regarding a student group's call for dismantling Israel “by all means necessary.” Dr. Raymond condemned the terminology but avoided specific context, which led to further scrutiny from Ms. Stefanik.
In the year and a half since the previous hearing, university leaders have responded to complaints by tightening protest regulations and increasing disciplinary measures. Many institutions have also banned or suspended aggressive pro-Palestinian activist groups.
Jeffrey D. Armstrong, president of Cal Poly, stated, “Both as a university president and a human being, this is a matter I take particularly seriously,” and outlined initiatives to enhance awareness of antisemitism.
Republicans continued to pressure universities to address their concerns, with Representative Ryan Mackenzie demanding information on disciplinary actions at Haverford, warning that federal funding could be at risk.
Democratic Representative Suzanne Bonamici criticized the hearing as a performance lacking in good faith, expressing skepticism about the motivations behind the inquiry.
David Cole, a former national legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union, likened the committee's actions to the anti-communist investigations of the 1950s, arguing they aimed to suppress protected speech.
The Trump administration has initiated over 60 investigations into universities regarding allegations of antisemitism. Additionally, a task force on antisemitism announced a review of the University of Washington following protests that led to arrests.
The task force commended the university's response but cautioned that further measures are necessary to prevent future violence, indicating that federal funding could be jeopardized as a result.
A university representative did not comment on the task force's announcement, although approximately 18 percent of the university's revenue comes from federal grants and contracts.