The Trump administration has formally notified Columbia University’s accreditor that the institution is “in violation of federal antidiscrimination laws and therefore fails to meet the standards for accreditation set by the Commission.” This action follows findings that Columbia “acted with deliberate indifference towards discriminatory harassment against Jewish students,” placing the university’s accreditation—and access to federal financial aid—at risk.
On May 22, the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services concluded that Columbia violated Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act by failing to protect Jewish students from harassment. This determination led the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights to alert the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Columbia’s accrediting body, emphasizing that accredited institutions must comply with all applicable government laws and regulations.
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stated, “Columbia’s deliberate indifference towards the harassment of Jewish students is not only immoral, but also unlawful.” She underscored the responsibility of accreditors as gatekeepers of federal student aid, asserting that they must ensure member institutions abide by their standards.
The potential loss of accreditation would render Columbia ineligible for federal financial aid programs, including student loans and Pell Grants. Such a development could significantly impact the university’s operations and reputation.
This move is part of a broader effort by President Donald Trump to address perceived left-wing overreach on college campuses. On April 23, Trump signed an executive order facilitating changes in university accreditors and promoting the recognition of new accrediting bodies, aiming to reform the accreditation process.
Despite previous actions, including freezing over $430 million in federal funding and advocating for new disciplinary measures, incidents of antisemitism have persisted at Columbia. Notably, a recent event involved protesters storming a campus library, resulting in injuries to security personnel and the distribution of materials endorsing violence.
Columbia University has acknowledged the concerns raised and stated that it is addressing them directly with the Middle States Commission. The university has pledged to implement reforms, including banning face coverings during protests and enhancing disciplinary processes.
As Secretary McMahon emphasized, “Accreditors have an enormous public responsibility as gatekeepers of federal student aid. They determine which institutions are eligible for federal student loans and Pell Grants.” The administration’s actions signal a commitment to ensuring that educational institutions uphold civil rights standards and protect all students from discrimination.
