HHS finds Columbia University violated students' civil rights

A federal investigation by the Department of Health and Human Services concluded Thursday night that Columbia University violated the civil rights of some of its students, by acting with "deliberate indifference" toward harassment of Jewish students.

The Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) found the school violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by failing to protect its Jewish students from harassment over the span of 19 months. 

Columbia served as the epicenter of the antisemitic protests that broke out at numerous colleges across the country last year. Some students have revitalized the protests this year as well, including protesting at a library while students were studying for finals.

“The findings carefully document the hostile environment Jewish students at Columbia University have had to endure for over 19 months, disrupting their education, safety, and well-being,” Anthony Archeval, acting director of HHS' civil rights office, said in a statement. “We encourage Columbia University to work with us to come to an agreement that reflects meaningful changes that will truly protect Jewish students.”

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.