Three university presidents defended their responses to rising antisemitism in a House committee hearing Tuesday. Many have faced scrutiny as they struggle to balance free speech with student safety.
Claudine Gay , president of Harvard University, Liz Magill, president of University of Pennsylvania, Pamela Nadell, professor of history and Jewish studies at American University, and Sally Kornbluth, president of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, testify before the House Education and Workforce Committee on Tuesday.
The presidents were joined by Pamela Nadell, a professor of history and Jewish studies at American University, who provided context on the history of antisemitism in the U.S. as well as the Biden administration'sThe hearing — which was titled"Holding Campus Leaders Accountable and Confronting Antisemitism" — turned combative at times. Republican lawmakers grilled the administrators on topics like ideological diversity, foreign university funding and specific disciplinary actions.
"I think having a greater understanding of what's actually at play here, people will be, frankly, I think, a little bit more sympathetic to the choices some of these leaders have made," Fansmith says."And if that's what comes out of this hearing, then that's a net positive.
He notes university leaders have been trying to balance these responsibilities long before Oct. 7, and it would be unreasonable to expect anyone to suddenly do it in a way that satisfies everyone."It's always easier to criticize the decision than make one, especially when you're making one in real time with very heated, very passionate views on both sides," he says.
"During these difficult days, I have felt the bonds of our community strained," said Gay, of Harvard."In response, I have sought to confront hate while preserving free expression. This is difficult work and I know that I have not always gotten it right."Cornell student arrested in connection with antisemitic threats on New York campus
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