A federal task force created by US President Donald Trump to combat anti-Semitism could cancel more than $ 50 million in contracts between Columbia University and the Federal Government, due to “continuous inaction from the university against relentless harassment of Jewish students,” three federal agencies said in a joint press release on Monday (3).
It is the latest edition of what has been a turbulent period in universities across the country and follows a series of incidents on the university campus in response to the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Anti -Semitism kills as “the deadliest pests in history,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
“In recent years, censorship and false narratives of the culture of cancellation Woke have turned our great universities into greenhouses into this virulent mortal and virulent pestilence,” he said in the statement.
In response to the announcement, Columbia said she is “totally committed to combating anti -Semitism and all forms of discrimination, and we are determined to ask, promote or glorify violence or terror take place in our university.”
“We look forward to continuous work with the new federal administration to combat anti-Semitism, and we will continue to make every effort to ensure the safety and welfare of our students, teachers and staff,” the statement continued.
The government’s task force will also revise more than $ 5 billion (about R $ 30 billion) in columbia subsidies commitments to “ensure that the university is in accordance with federal regulations, including its civil rights responsibilities.”
The administration of general services will facilitate the review, according to the statement.
“The institutions that receive federal funds are responsible for protecting all students from discrimination,” said Education Secretary Linda McMahon.
“Columbia’s apparent failure to maintain its part of this basic agreement raises very serious questions about the institution’s aptitude to continue doing business with the United States government.”
Minouche Shafik, president of the university, resigned at the beginning of autumn in August after a tumultuous school year marked by protests, a camp camp, a building occupation and the mass arrest of more than 100 protesters.
A week earlier, three dean resigned after being removed from their positions for what the school labeled as “very worrying” anti -Semitic text messages.
Shafik was tormented by a vote of suspicion and was under intense scrutiny by his way of dealing with the Israel-Hamas War Protests and his testimony in Congress on the subject.
On Monday, the Anti-Difama League released an updated newsletter evaluating how US colleges combat anti-Semitism and protect Jewish students.
Some Jewish and Muslim students across the country said they were intimidated, harassed or physically assaulted, the CNN previously.
Harvard University received a C, rising two F -grades the previous year, while two of its Ivy League peers – the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Cornell – each received a C, above a D. The University of Columbia remained in a D.
Forty -five percent of schools evaluated in the last year academic have improved, while only 9% fell – a positive sign to combat anti -Semitism in the campuses, said the civil rights defense group.
In total, 36% of schools received a grade A or B, above 23.5% in the previous year. Just under 10% of schools received an F, which was slightly below the percentage that received an F in the last report.
“Although many campuses have improved in encouraging and commendable ways, Jewish students do not still feel safe or included in many campuses,” Jonathan Greenblatt, the ADL chief executive, said in a statement in a statement
Conflicts on campus continue
On January 21, several individuals interrupted the first day of a modern Israel history class in Columbia distributing leaflets with what the university called “violent images.”
It was Professor Avi Shilon’s first day of school, and the students had just been presented to the course when protesters-whose faces were covered and seemed to be wearing Keffiyehs, a traditional Middle East scarf often identified as a symbol of Palestinian identity-entered and distributed anti-Israel pamphlets, student Elisha Baker told her CNN at the time.
A pamphlet shows an Israeli flag burning under the words “Burn Zionism to the ground,” and another portrays a large black boot about to step on David Jewish star and says “Crush Zionism”, according to photos taken by Baker.
And last Wednesday, a small group of pro-Palestinos student protesters occupied a building at Barnard College’s Manhattan campus, clashing with the team and sending an employee to the hospital, the school, which is affiliated with Columbia, told Columbia.
The demonstration, organized by Columbia University Apartheid Divest, was part of a week of action demanding the reintegration of two students expelled for interrupting an Israeli history course in January.
Almost 100 students from Barnard and Columbia University made a protest at Barnard’s Milbank Hall, Columbia University Apartheid Divest said on social networks.
The protests were not taking place on Columbia’s campus and Barnard’s leadership and security team were evaluating the situation, Columbia said in a statement on her site.
“The interruption of academic activities is not acceptable conduct,” the statement said.
“We are committed to supporting our student body of Columbia and our campus community during this challenging moment.”
This content was originally published in Trump administration can cancel contracts with Columbia University on CNN Brazil.
Source: CNN Brasil
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