The House Committee on Education and the Workforce held a hearing on campus antisemitism that showcased fiery exchanges between lawmakers and the heads of Northwestern University, Rutgers University, and UCLA. The hearing occurred after a wave of pro-Palestinian encampments caused disruptions on campuses, prompting many students to feel unsafe. Northwestern President Michael Schill and Rutgers University President Dr. Jonathan Holloway negotiated with protesters, while UCLA Chancellor Gene Block authorized police to disband encampments, leading to criticism from some lawmakers.
During the hearing, some Republican lawmakers rebuked Schill and Holloway for their negotiation tactics with protesters, accusing them of being complicit. However, some Democratic lawmakers found their approaches admirable, citing the importance of successful negotiation and de-escalation in protecting students and free speech. UCLA’s Gene Block faced criticism for not authorizing police intervention sooner in dealing with campus disruptions, acknowledging that more action should have been taken earlier to ensure the safety of the community.
In a tense exchange, Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik criticized Schill for not taking action against someone who allegedly made antisemitic comments to a Jewish student. Schill stated that the incident was being investigated, and so far, no students have been expelled or suspended for alleged acts of antisemitism. Holloway and Block also mentioned ongoing investigations at their universities, with suspensions and disciplinary actions being taken against individuals involved in antisemitic incidents.
University heads at the hearing were prepared with pre-rehearsed responses, having learned from prior campus hearings. They avoided repeating the mistakes of past university presidents by explicitly denouncing calls for the genocide of Jews as violating their codes of conduct. However, they were careful to give lawyerly responses in tense questioning moments to avoid taking a stance on divisive issues. For example, Holloway chose not to offer an opinion on whether Israel’s government was genocidal, and Schill refrained from commenting on individual students or faculty members during the hearing.
Overall, the hearing highlighted the challenges universities face in addressing campus antisemitism and balancing free speech with ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all students. The differing approaches taken by university leaders in handling protests and disruptions on campus drew criticism and praise from lawmakers. Ongoing investigations into alleged acts of antisemitism underscore the importance of universities taking decisive action to address and prevent hate speech and discrimination on campus.
