Christian Smith
(NewsNation) – University presidents on Thursday faced a barrage of questions from House members about their schools’ handling of what some called anti-Semitic acts during pro-Palestinian protests on campus.
Leaders from the University of California, Los Angeles, Rutgers University and Northwestern University attended Thursday’s hearing at the U.S. Capitol, where lawmakers grilled college presidents about disciplinary actions tied to recent protests over the Israel-Hamas war.
Outside the Capitol, other House members spoke out against the treatment of student protesters, including the way police handled the situation.
The hearing included several tense moments as Republicans on the House Education and Workforce Committee went on the offensive, arguing that school administrators had failed to keep students, especially Jewish students, safe from harassment during nationwide protests. .
One specific point of contention raised by many Republicans was that two administrations, Rutgers and Northwestern, negotiated with protest leaders. Republicans called these negotiations a dereliction of administrators’ duties.
University presidents said they were in a difficult situation, trying to protect First Amendment rights and free speech while keeping students safe.
Republican committee members, however, argued that the schools missed the mark.
Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, RN.Y., has been one of the main faces of the Republican committee members’ efforts.
During a conversation with Northwestern University President Michael Shill, Stefanik asked if a Jewish student was assaulted.
Shill responded, saying there were reports that a Jewish student was assaulted, and the allegations are currently under investigation by the school’s conduct and Title XI offices. He was unsure when the investigation might be completed.
“That’s why you get an F,” Stefanik said.
Shill acknowledged that Northwestern University’s code of conduct needs to be updated to address some of the challenges that were presented during the protests.
Lawmakers on the other side of the aisle, however, argued that universities did not go far enough to protect protesters.
They say the students involved in the protests had a legitimate First Amendment right to do so and that they were also subjected to violence.
“It’s not about protecting minority communities — that in itself has historically been prosecuted,” said U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn. “It is an attempt to silence all those who express dissent towards Israel and the genocide they are currently carrying out in Gaza.”
Some members of Congress have fallen in between, noting that university administrations have a difficult task balancing free speech and safety. Others called for the leaders to resign.
