On Thursday, House Republicans spent over three hours admonishing the leaders of Northwestern University, Rutgers University, and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) for their responses to recent antiwar protests and antisemitic incidents on their campuses. Lawmakers argued that the universities failed in their central obligation to protect students, particularly Jewish students who felt threatened by the protests.

Campus Safety Concerns

During the hearing, members of the House Education and Workforce Committee, led by Representative Virginia Foxx of North Carolina, expressed deep concern over what they saw as the universities' inadequate handling of antisemitic incidents. Foxx accused the university leaders of allowing "antisemitic encampments" that endangered Jewish students, stating, "Each of you should be ashamed of your decisions."

The criticism comes amidst a backdrop of increased scrutiny on how universities handle campus protests and incidents of antisemitism. This hearing was the third in a series focused on campus antisemitism, reflecting ongoing tensions and debates over free speech, student safety, and institutional responsibility. Previous hearings had significant repercussions, contributing to the resignations of the presidents of Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania. However, the leaders of Northwestern, Rutgers, and UCLA managed to navigate the session without making any notable missteps that could go viral on social media.

University Leaders Defend Actions

Northwestern President Michael Schill, Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway, and UCLA Chancellor Gene Block were the main targets of the committee's ire. Schill, in particular, faced intense scrutiny for the Deering Meadow Agreement, a deal struck with students protesting on Northwestern's campus lawn. Under this agreement, protesters dismantled their tents and silenced sound systems in exchange for scholarships for five Palestinian undergraduates and a gathering space for Middle Eastern, North African, and Muslim students.

Lawmakers questioned whether these concessions violated federal anti-discrimination laws and why Schill did not consult the university's committee on antisemitism before making the agreement. Seven members of that committee resigned in response to the deal. Schill defended his actions by stating that the agreement brought an end to the encampment without violence and that consulting with more parties in such a rapidly evolving situation was impractical.

At UCLA, Chancellor Block faced questions about a recent clash between pro-Palestinian protesters and pro-Israel counterprotesters, one of the more violent episodes in recent weeks. Representative Ilhan Omar, a Minnesota Democrat, sharply criticized Block for failing to prevent the violence, which resulted in students fearing for their lives and the arrest of over 200 people after police were called in to clear the encampment.

Political and Academic Reactions

The hearing highlighted a broader political divide, with Republicans using the session to underscore their concerns about rising antisemitism on campuses and Democrats pushing back against what they see as politically motivated attacks on higher education. Republicans on the committee employed props and videos to argue that universities are becoming hotbeds of antisemitism, often interrupting the university leaders and asking loaded questions designed to generate social media moments.

However, this hearing did not yield the same dramatic results as previous ones, leading some to speculate that the committee's efforts might be losing steam. Despite this, Republicans reiterated their commitment to ensuring that all university campuses are safe for Jewish students, pledging to continue their oversight.

Democrats on the committee called for a more constructive approach, emphasizing the need for solutions rather than repetitive hearings. Representative Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon urged the committee to consider legislation that would help colleges better protect Jewish students and boost funding for the Education Department's Office for Civil Rights.

Outside the hearing room, faculty from the three universities denounced the proceedings as a "witch hunt" and "politically bullying." Nearly 40 faculty members traveled to Washington to express their opposition to the committee's actions, arguing that the hearings were part of a broader attack on higher education. Todd Wolfson, an associate professor at Rutgers, described the hearings as presenting an "alternate reality to what is actually going on on our campuses."

Katie Rodger, president of the University of California American Federation of Teachers chapter, criticized the committee's motives, stating, "I don't believe for one minute that the interests of students or campus community members is at all what the Republicans are after in these hearings."

As the debate continues, university leaders will need to address both the concerns raised in Washington and the reactions from their campus communities. The outcome of these hearings and the subsequent actions taken by universities will likely shape the ongoing discourse on free speech, student safety, and institutional accountability in higher education.