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By Suzanne Blake and Hollie Silverman
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The United States Department of Education (DOE) determined that Columbia University has violated a federal civil rights law, the DOE said Wednesday in a press release.
The notification comes after the DOE opened an investigation into the University in February.
"The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) today notified Middle States Commission on Higher Education (the Commission) that its member institution, Columbia University, is in violation of federal antidiscrimination laws and therefore fails to meet the standards for accreditation set by the Commission," the release said.
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A Columbia University spokesperson told Newsweek: "Columbia is aware of the concerns raised by the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights today to our accreditor, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and we have addressed those concerns directly with Middle States. Columbia is deeply committed to combating antisemitism on our campus. We take this issue seriously and are continuing to work with the federal government to address it."
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Why It Matters
Colleges without federal accreditation lose access to federal student aid, preventing millions of prospective and current students from getting the financial help they may need in order to be able to afford attendance.
Without accreditation, Columbia could also lose some of its respectability as an Ivy League university, potentially impacting enrollment and application numbers if the school cannot meet the standards for accreditation.
What To Know
The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights alerted the Middle States Commission on Higher Education of Columbia's failure to meet accreditation standards Wednesday.
An executive order issued previously by President Donald Trump now requires the notification of the accreditor "with any noncompliance findings related to member institutions."
The notification comes after a series of Gaza-related demonstrations at the University and alleges the school "acted with deliberate indifference towards the harassment of Jewish students on its campus. This is not only immoral, but also unlawful."
"Just as the Department of Education has an obligation to uphold federal antidiscrimination law, university accreditors have an obligation to ensure member institutions abide by their standard," U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a statement. "We look forward to the Commission keeping the Department fully informed of actions taken to ensure Columbia's compliance with accreditation standards including compliance with federal civil rights laws."
The Department of Education's OCR and the Department of Health and Human Services' Office for Civil Rights (HHS OCR) determined in May that Columbia University acted with "deliberate indifference" towards the harassment of Jewish students, violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The agencies say that Columbia failed to "meaningfully protect Jewish students against severe and pervasive harassment on Columbia's campus" and also denied these students equal access to educational opportunities.
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits recipients of federal funding from discriminating on the basis of race, color, or national origin.
Newsweek reached out to Columbia University for comment via email.
What People Are Saying
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a statement: "After Hamas' October 7, 2023, terror attack on Israel, Columbia University's leadership acted with deliberate indifference towards the harassment of Jewish students on its campus. This is not only immoral, but also unlawful. Accreditors have an enormous public responsibility as gatekeepers of federal student aid. They determine which institutions are eligible for federal student loans and Pell Grants."
What Happens Next
Losing accreditation can impact the availability of federal and student loans.
Last month, Columbia announced it would be cutting 180 staff members as a result of financial friction after the Trump administration decided to cancel $400 million in federal grants over the university's "failure to protect Jewish students from antisemitic harassment."
"Across the research portfolio we have had to make difficult choices and unfortunately, today, nearly 180 of our colleagues who have been working, in whole or in part, on impacted federal grants, will receive notices of non-renewal or termination," acting Columbia University President Claire Shipman said in May. "This represents about 20 percent of the individuals who are funded in some manner by the terminated grants."
To secure the funds, Columbia agreed to make changes, including changing protest policies and security around campus. The university also decided to make changes in its Middle Eastern studies department and create a new university definition of antisemitism.
Updates 6/4/25, 4:59 p.m. and 6/5/25, 9:13 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and comment from a Columbia University spokesperson.
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