The U.S. Department of Education announced on Wednesday that Columbia University has reportedly not adhered to accreditation standards due to a “violation of federal antidiscrimination laws,” stemming from allegations of harassment against Jewish students on its campus.
The Department’s Office of Civil Rights has formally informed the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the accrediting body for Columbia, about this concerning violation.
According to federal regulations, accreditors must notify member institutions about any federal compliance failures and develop a corrective action plan for compliance.
“If a university does not achieve compliance within the designated period, the accreditor is obligated to take suitable measures against the institution,” the Department stated.
In her remarks, Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated, “Following the October 7, 2023, terror attack on Israel by Hamas, the leadership at Columbia University displayed a troubling indifference to the harassment experienced by Jewish students on campus.”
She further emphasized, “This is not only unethical, but also illegal.”
“Accreditors hold a significant public trust as the overseers of federal student aid, determining the eligibility of institutions for federal student loans and Pell Grants. Just as the Department of Education is mandated to enforce federal antidiscrimination laws, accreditors must ensure that member institutions comply with designated standards.”
Finance Newso has reached out to Columbia University for a statement regarding the Department’s findings.
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