The Department of Education initiated the process to remove Columbia University’s accreditation on Wednesday over its antisemitism allegations.
The Trump administration has pulled some $400 million in funding from the university since March.
Columbia University violated federal civil rights law by “acting with deliberate indifference toward student-on-student harassment of Jewish students” from Oct. 7, 2023 through the present, a Trump administration investigation alleged Thursday.
What we’re watching: The note also suggests that other universities facing Trump threats – such as Harvard – will see threats to their accreditation.
Editor’s note: This story will be updated with additional developments and comment from a Columbia University spokesperson.
Because of Columbia University’s alleged antisemitism, the Department of Education began the process of removing its accreditation on Wednesday.
Why it matters: Even though the university complied with the White House’s demands, which included harshly punishing students and alumni who participated in pro-Palestine demonstrations, the action still marks an increase by the Trump administration.
Since March, approximately $400 million in university funding has been withdrawn by the Trump administration.
When Columbia University “acted with deliberate indifference toward student-on-student harassment of Jewish students” starting in October, it was in violation of federal civil rights law. 7, 2023 to the present, according to an investigation accused Thursday by the Trump administration.
What they are saying: According to a Columbia representative who spoke to Axios, the university had spoken with Middle States directly about the issues brought up by the department’s Office for Civil Rights on Wednesday.
“Columbia is steadfast in its efforts to eradicate antisemitism on campus. The spokesperson continued in the email, “We continue to work with the federal government to address this issue, which we take seriously.”.
While acknowledging receipt of the DOE’s note, Columbia’s accreditor, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), declined to comment further when contacted by Axios.
The U.S. is driving the news. A. The school “does not meet the standards for accreditation set by the Commission because it violates federal anti-discrimination laws,” the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) informed the MSCHE. “,”.
Following Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement that the school’s administration “acted with deliberate indifference towards the harassment of Jewish students on its campus.”.
“As gatekeepers of federal student aid, accreditors bear a huge public responsibility,” McMahon stated.
“They choose which educational institutions qualify for Pell Grants and federal student loans. In the same way that the Department of Education is required to enforce federal anti-discrimination law, university accreditors are also required to make sure that member institutions follow their guidelines. “.”.
What we are watching: The note also implies that other colleges, like Harvard, that are under Trump’s threat will face challenges to their accreditation.
According to the note, which cites President Trump’s executive order “Reforming Accreditation to Strengthen Higher Education,” “The Department has an obligation to promptly provide accreditors with any noncompliance findings related to member institutions.”. “..”.
Editor’s note: A Columbia University spokesperson will provide additional information and commentary as it becomes available.
