A congressional committee is scrutinizing California universities, including Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and the University of California, Berkeley, in an effort to address antisemitism in higher education. On June 26, the committee sent a follow-up letter to Cal Poly’s President Jeffrey Armstrong after his testimony regarding antisemitic incidents on campus. On Wednesday, UC Berkeley’s president will testify in the next hearing.
The House Committee on Education and Workforce is examining incidents of antisemitism on college campuses nationwide. According to CalMatters, President Armstrong testified on May 7, outlining steps Cal Poly is taking to combat antisemitism, including forming a task force and implementing mandatory student training on antisemitism awareness.
The hearing comes amid heightened political scrutiny of higher education, with both Republican and Democratic committee members denouncing antisemitism. However, some lawmakers question where the line is drawn between free speech and hate speech.
The Department of Justice has also launched an investigation into UC Berkeley under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, assessing whether the university has allowed an antisemitic hostile work environment. The investigation is part of a broader effort to combat antisemitism on campuses.
As the hearings continue, university leaders face increasing pressure to address hate and discrimination toward Jewish students and faculty. The outcome of these investigations and hearings may influence future policies and actions taken by universities to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all students.
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