• Harvard, MIT, and Penn presidents defended their actions against antisemitism and upheld free speech principles on their campuses.

University Presidents Defend Actions Against Antisemitism

The presidents of Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of Pennsylvania defended their actions against antisemitism on their campuses in a hearing before the House Education and Workforce Committee.

The hearing was held in response to a surge in antisemitism on college campuses following the recent Israel-Gaza conflict. Lawmakers from both parties questioned the presidents about their institutions' policies on free speech and their efforts to protect Jewish students.

Harvard President Claudine Gay said that the university is committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all students, including Jewish students. She said that the university has taken a number of steps to address antisemitism, including providing training for students, faculty, and staff on the issue.

MIT President Sally Kornbluth said that the university is committed to upholding the principles of free speech, but that the right to free speech does not extend to harassment, discrimination, or incitement to violence. She said that the university has taken a number of steps to address antisemitism, including appointing an antisemitism task force.

Penn President Liz Magill said that the university is committed to ensuring that all students feel safe and welcome on campus. She said that the university has taken a number of steps to address antisemitism, including providing support for Jewish students and working with Jewish organizations to combat antisemitism.

The presidents also faced questions about their institutions' handling of specific incidents of antisemitism. For example, Harvard President Gay was questioned about a recent incident in which protesters interrupted a class on the Israel-Gaza conflict.

The presidents all said that they are committed to combating antisemitism on their campuses. They said that they will continue to work to create a safe and inclusive environment for all students.

The hearing comes as colleges and universities across the country are grappling with how to address antisemitism on their campuses. The Anti-Defamation League has reported a significant increase in antisemitic incidents on college campuses in recent years.

In addition to the hearing, the U.S. Department of Education is investigating possible discrimination based on shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics at several universities, including Harvard, Cornell, Columbia, Penn, and Cooper Union.