The U.S. Department of Education has threatened Columbia University with the loss of its accreditation due to alleged violations of federal antidiscrimination laws. The department's civil rights office informed the Middle States Commission on Higher Education that Columbia is not in compliance with accreditation standards. This notification follows the university's handling of antisemitism on campus after the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated, "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." She emphasized the critical role of the accreditation commission, which determines eligibility for federal student aid, including loans and Pell Grants. If Columbia loses its accreditation, it would be unable to offer federal financial aid to its students.

The Education Department's findings indicate that Columbia has failed to protect Jewish students from severe harassment, thereby denying them equal access to educational opportunities. This conclusion was reached by the civil rights offices of both the Education Department and the Department of Health and Human Services last month.

In a statement, McMahon expressed the department's expectation that the commission will keep it informed about Columbia's efforts to comply with accreditation standards and federal civil rights laws. The Middle States Commission confirmed it received the notification but declined to comment further at this time.

Columbia University has not yet responded to the Education Department's allegations. The situation arises amid heightened scrutiny of elite universities regarding their policies on antisemitism, particularly following the recent conflict in the Middle East.

This development is part of a broader initiative by the federal government to combat antisemitism on college campuses, which was intensified by an executive order from former President Donald Trump. The order mandates that the Education Department hold higher education accreditors accountable for compliance with federal civil rights laws.

Columbia has previously faced criticism for its response to antisemitism, leading to significant policy changes earlier this year. The university's administration is now under pressure to demonstrate compliance with federal standards to avoid losing its accreditation. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.