WASHINGTON (AP) — The president of Haverford University was condemned by Republican lawmakers at a congressional hearing on campus Anti-Semitism On Wednesday, some suggest that schools should lose federal funds as they refused to discuss student discipline. Pro-Palestinian protest.
Wendy Raymond appeared alongside two other university presidents on Capitol Hill, but was chosen as the only person who would not detail the punishment of students and faculty accused of anti-Semitic prejudice. Asked repeatedly, Raymond said her agency has not made public the outcome of the disciplinary process.
“I think that’s your first right to amend yours, but it’s also our right to decide that such an agency doesn’t deserve taxpayer money,” said Missouri Republican Rep. Bob Onder.
It also appeared before the House Committee on Education and the workforce. It was the latest A series of hearings On October 7, 2023, the university’s president scrutinized their reaction to allegations of anti-Semitic bias in the wake of a wave of Hamas attacks, attacks on Israel and a wave of protests that swept the country’s campus.
Unlike other people who feature leaders of Harvard, Columbia and other elite institutions – there was a stumbling and contributed later Their resignation – This was intentionally focused on lesser known schools. Republicans have sought to emphasize the prevalence of anti-Semitism on US campuses beyond the Ivy League.
The committee leaders aimed to select a diverse mix of universities. Haverford is a small liberal arts school located outside of Philadelphia and was founded by the Quakers. DePaul is a Catholic university with an urban campus in Chicago. Cal Poly is a campus of 22,000 students at San Luis Obispo.
For more than three hours, Republicans burned the president over reports of anti-Semitic harassment on campus, ranging from social media posts to physical attacks by two Jewish students at DePaul. Democrats denounced the hearing and called it a political theatre that is rarely done to combat discrimination.
The president’s trio mostly spoke out in extreme tones, acknowledging some mistakes, emphasizing their work to make students feel safer. Raymond and Manuel apologised for their flaws, but Armstrong said, “We have to do better.”
However, Presidents Cal Poli and DePaul shared information on disciplinary action against anti-Semitism, but Raymond refused.
“We don’t talk publicly about these numbers,” she said as she was pushed against the question. She admitted that some actions had been taken but refused to go further.
It took a burning responsibilities from Rep. Elise Stefanik of RN.Y., known for his orchestration. A fiery exchange He helped them resign last year with former presidents of Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania.
“To my respect, President of Haverford, many people are sitting in this position and they are no longer in their position as president of the university, so they couldn’t answer any simple questions,” Stefanik said.
Stephanik questioned Raymond about the professor’s social media post describing Hamas’ attacks as “incarcerated people who have been freed from the chains.” Raymond called it abominable, but refused to discuss the individual cases.
DePaul’s president faced surveillance over his handling of pro-Palestinian camps. The protesters took over the University of Chicago campus quad for 17 days, causing $180,000 in property damage, according to the school. Police said they had cleared the camp and found knives, pellet guns and other weapons.
“My question is, if there is another camp, are you going to take it down the next day?” asked Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill.
“Yes,” Manuel said.
Other Republicans approved the idea of cutting funding for schools that refuse to disclose punishment, saying Congress should explore the issue. Pennsylvania Rep. Ryan McKenzie said it should be a baseline for receiving funds.
Republicans began a series of hearings in late 2023, and routinely called education leaders to Capitol Hill to testify. Those called include the chief of Harvard University in Columbia, Pennsylvania. Northwestern University University of California, Los Angeles.
The Trump administration has separately frozen billions of dollars in grants to universities covered by the federal anti-Semitism task force. Includes what is included in the target Columbia, pen and Harvard,That one bring the action To recover the $2.2 billion grant. The education department last week, and Harvard I’m no longer qualified For new grants.
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