A federal investigation has determined that Columbia University violated the civil rights of Jewish students in the wake of widespread campus protests following the October 7 Hamas-led attacks on Israel, according to an announcement Thursday by the United States government.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) concluded that Columbia failed to protect Jewish students from harassment, accusing the institution of showing “deliberate indifference towards student-on-student harassment.”
The department renewed efforts to secure a compliance agreement between the university and the Trump administration.
“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,” said Anthony Archeval, acting director of the Office for Civil Rights at HHS.
“We encourage Columbia University to work with us to come to an agreement that reflects meaningful changes that will truly protect Jewish students,” he added.
The joint determination, made in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Education, has not yet been made public. The Department of Education declined to comment Thursday evening.
In response, Columbia issued a statement acknowledging the federal findings, “We understand this finding is part of our ongoing discussions with the government. Columbia is deeply committed to combatting antisemitism and all forms of harassment and discrimination on our campus. We take these issues seriously and will work with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education to address them.”
The probe found that Columbia lacked effective mechanisms for reporting antisemitic incidents until the summer of 2023.
Moreover, the university reportedly failed to follow its own response procedures, did not investigate cases such as swastika graffiti on campus, and neglected to enforce neutral rules governing student protests.
This development comes amid tense negotiations between Columbia and the Trump administration, following the suspension of $400 million in federal grants and contracts due to antisemitism concerns.
The cuts have already led to the termination of at least 180 researchers involved in federally funded projects.
It remains uncertain how the latest findings will influence the ongoing talks. The Stand Columbia Society, composed of faculty and alumni, warned that over $2 billion in federal support, including research grants, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements, and financial aid—could be in jeopardy.
They also raised concerns about broader impacts such as reduced international student enrollment.
“We are unequivocally and unapologetically for academic freedom, free expression, and institutional autonomy. But we are also for the continued partnership between the United States government and its leading universities,” the group said in a statement issued Thursday night.
A source close to the discussions suggested the findings were a procedural step necessary for any resolution but clarified that no formal agreement has yet been reached.
Acting Columbia President Claire Shipman has expressed resistance to government influence, previously stating the university would “reject heavy-handed orchestration from the government,” particularly when it comes to hiring decisions or curriculum content.
Federal officials say their conclusions stem from interviews, internal university documentation, task force reports, and media coverage.
Columbia has been a central stage for demonstrations against Israel’s actions in Gaza, with students launching a divestment encampment on campus last spring.
Tensions escalated when a group occupied Hamilton Hall, prompting police intervention and mass arrests.
More recently, student activists seized Butler Library to protest the detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia graduate and recent detainee of federal immigration authorities.
Protesters have criticized both Columbia and the Trump administration, arguing that opposition to Israeli policies is being mischaracterized as antisemitism.