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Chair Foxx Demands Answers from Columbia University

Committee’s Investigation into Antisemitism Continues Despite University Stonewalling

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 1, 2024

WASHINGTON – Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) today continues to demand accountability from Columbia University, the home to some of the most egregious displays of antisemitism on a college campus since October 7.

Once again, the Committee is renewing its push for information and documents that Columbia has failed to produce despite repeated requests. The letter warns Columbia that the Committee is prepared to proceed with a subpoena if Columbia continues to fail to satisfy these requests.

In the letter, Chairwoman Foxx writes: "Despite repeated requests, Columbia has failed to produce priority items requested by the Committee. These priority items, which are critical to the investigation, include communications by priority custodians of documents, including multiple members of Columbia’s Board of Trustees; records of Board of Trustees meetings; and requested information on disciplinary cases. In many cases, these items were requested months ago. Columbia’s continued failure to produce these priority items is unacceptable, and if this is not promptly rectified, the Committee is prepared to compel their production."

The priority documents requested and identified in the letter include:

  • All documents and communications since October 7, 2023, referring and relating to antisemitism, including those related to the Gaza Solidarity Encampment involving key Columbia officials including the University’s President, Provost, Chief Operating Officer, and Members of the Board of Trustees.
  • The calendars of President Minouche Shafik, Provost Angela Olinto, Chief Operating Officer Cas Holloway, and President Shafik’s Chief of Staff Susan Glancy, dated from April 17 to May 2, 2024.
  • All Board of Trustees meeting minutes, notes, summaries, and recordings since April 17, 2024, whether formal or informal, and all Board of Trustees meeting minutes, notes, summaries, and recordings since October 7, 2023, referring to antisemitism and/or Israel.
  • A list and description of all student and faculty disciplinary/conduct cases relating to alleged antisemitic incidents since October 7, 2023, or conduct related to the Gaza Solidarity Encampment. This includes the standings of all alleged perpetrators.
  • All documents and communications referring or relating to alleged antisemitic incidents and/or conduct violations relating to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Read the full letter here.

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