All articles tagged with #campus policies
MIT and other universities are resisting White House efforts to impose new policies on campus governance, admissions, and funding, emphasizing their independence despite potential penalties for non-compliance, as the administration seeks to influence university policies on free speech, tuition, and international enrollment.
The Trump administration proposed a $1.2 billion settlement to UCLA, demanding sweeping changes in campus policies on hiring, admissions, gender identity, protests, and civil rights, in exchange for releasing federal research grants, amid ongoing investigations into antisemitism and discrimination allegations. The proposal has sparked significant controversy and negotiations, with UC leaders criticizing the demands as threats to university values and funding.
The University of Pennsylvania has issued new rules banning protest encampments and significantly restricting demonstrations on campus, following a wave of student activism against Israel's actions in Gaza. The new regulations, which aim to ensure safety and protect property, come after police cleared a pro-Palestinian encampment and arrested 33 people. The rules will be reviewed by a faculty-led task force in the next academic year.
The debate over free speech on college campuses has intensified following a congressional hearing with the presidents of Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, and MIT. Lawmakers questioned the administrators about allegations of antisemitism and whether calls for "genocide against the Jewish people" violated campus codes of conduct. The presidents defended their commitment to students' freedom of expression, sparking controversy over campus policies and the boundaries of free speech. Some lawmakers called for resignations, and University of Pennsylvania President Elizabeth Magill stepped down. The hearing highlighted the complexities and inconsistencies surrounding freedom of expression on campus, with legal experts emphasizing the need for a balance between legal analysis and moral condemnation. The investigation of Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania under Title VI for complaints of antisemitism and Islamophobia further underscores the ongoing tensions and challenges in protecting free speech rights while ensuring a safe and inclusive environment on campus.
Pressure is mounting on Harvard University, MIT, and the University of Pennsylvania to address antisemitism on their campuses following a congressional hearing on the rise of antisemitism after the Hamas-led terror attacks in Israel. A group of House Democrats sent a letter seeking policy changes, while Republican lawmakers called for the removal of the university presidents. The presidents condemned hatred against both Jewish and Muslim communities but faced criticism for their responses to questions about antisemitic speech. The universities are also under federal civil rights investigations related to allegations of antisemitic or anti-Muslim harassment.
A major donor to the University of Pennsylvania, Ross Stevens, is withdrawing a $100 million donation in protest against the college's handling of antisemitism on campus and the controversial testimony by UPenn's president, Liz Magill, on the subject. Stevens and his firm, Stone Ridge Asset Management, claim that the university violated their limited partnership agreement by failing to adhere to anti-discrimination and anti-harassment rules. They expressed concern over Penn's permissive approach to hate speech and harassment against Jewish students. Magill's testimony, which suggested that the prohibition of antisemitic chants and calls for genocide is "context-dependent," further fueled the backlash. Stevens indicated that he would reconsider the withdrawal of his donation only if Magill is replaced as president.
The White House criticized the presidents of Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for their responses during a House hearing on antisemitism. When asked if a call for the genocide of Jewish people would be considered harassment under their campus policies, none of the presidents directly answered the question. The White House spokesperson called the presidents' remarks "unbelievable" and emphasized that calls for genocide are "dangerous and revolting." The schools have faced backlash, with threats to their tax-exempt status, and Harvard has issued a statement clarifying its position against violence or genocide targeting Jewish students.
Columbia University has suspended two pro-Palestinian groups for the rest of the fall semester, citing violations of campus policies. In other news, the B-21, the nation's first nuclear stealth bomber, successfully completed its first flight.