House Republicans on the Education and Workforce Committee on Wednesday grilled three non-Ivy League school presidents on their response to antisemitic protests that took place on their campuses last year.Ā
The presidents testified as part of the committee’s investigation of the spread of antisemitism on college campuses, after anti-Israel protests broke out at schools nationwide, which disrupted multiple commencement ceremonies and classes.
House Education Chairman Tim Walberg, R-Mich., said it was his committee’s responsibility to examine the rise of antisemitism in higher education, which has gone beyond Ivy League schools that were largely at the forefront of the protests.
āThe scourge of antisemitism has taken root far beyond the countryās best-known ivory towers,” he said in opening statements. “Itās our responsibility as aĀ committeeĀ to unearth and address antisemitism at these schools, too ā especially as antisemitism is at a historic high in the United States.”
Republican lawmakers primarily focused on the damage that was done to schools as a result of the protests, such as property damage, but also asked why the schools did not crack down on the protests in an effective manner, The Hill reported.
āIām not asking what you learned. Iām asking why you made the decision, because Iām going to refer you to your policy that you have in place. Why didnāt you follow your policy?ā Michigan GOP Rep. Lisa McClain asked DePaul University President Robert Manuel.
āOur immediate instinct was to work with our students,ā Manuel responded, which he admitted did not go “very well.”
Haverford President Wendy Raymond drew ire from Republicans on the committee after dodging questions about suspensions of students who took part in the protests, and firing employees who were antisemitic.Ā
Raymond did admit that it would not be acceptable for protesters to call for the killing of all Jewish people, but said she would not talk about “individual cases” when asked about disciplinary actions.
āMany people have sat in this position who are no longer in the positions as president of their universities for their failure to answer straightforward questions,ā New York GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik said. āFor the American people watching, you still donāt get it. Haverford still doesnāt get it. Itās a very different testimony than the other presidents who are here today, who are coming with specifics.āĀ
California Polytechnic State University President Jeffrey Armstrong also testified to the committee.
Democrats on the panel slammed the GOP’s focus on showing the problem, instead of coming up with solutions to fix it.
āAll students have the right to learn in a safe environment free from discrimination, in compliance with Title VI of theĀ Civil Rights Act of 1964,” Ranking Member Bobby Scott said. “Unfortunately, instead of properly enforcing Title VI, this committee is holding the eighth hearing describing the problem and complaining about antisemitism on college campuses, instead of taking any meaningful action to actuallyĀ solveĀ the problem.”
Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You canĀ follow her on XĀ for more coverage.
