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By: Fern Sidman
In the wake of the ongoing war that the Iranian backed Hamas terror group launched on Israel on October 7 college campuses across the nation have morphed into hotbeds of virulent anti-Semitism. While many prestigious institutions have grappled with accusations of mishandling the manifestations of Jew hatred, Princeton University has largely remained out of the spotlight—until now.
This week, the U.S. Department of Education announced the opening of a Title VI investigation into allegations of anti-Semitism at Princeton University. According to the information provided in a report that appeared on Friday on the Jewish Telegraphic Agency web site, the investigation stems from a complaint filed by a Jewish conservative activist, who highlighted incidents of concern on the campus. Among the reported incidents were chants by pro-Hamas protesters, including slogans such as “Intifada” and “Brick by brick, wall by wall, apartheid has got to fall.” These chants occurred in the aftermath of events on October 7th, marking a significant turning point for the university.
A spokesperson for Princeton University responded to inquiries from the student newspaper, expressing confidence in the institution’s compliance with Title VI requirements. However, the JTA report indicated that the opening of the investigation signals a departure from the university’s previous avoidance of the public scrutiny faced by other Ivy League peers.
Princeton now finds itself among six other Ivy League institutions under investigation for similar allegations since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war. Indicated in the JTA report was that this group includes such prestigious universities as Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania, where presidents have resigned amidst criticism of their handling of tensions surrounding the conflict. Notably, both former presidents testified at a congressional hearing in December, drawing further attention to the issue.
Among the Ivy League schools, Dartmouth College stands as an exception, having thus far evaded a Title VI investigation. Education Department officials and others have commended Dartmouth for its proactive approach to addressing campus climate issues related to Israel, as was pointed out in the JTA report. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona praised the school for its culture of engagement and problem-solving when conflicts arise.
Also reported by the JTA was that last week, Lehigh University in Pennsylvania became the subject of a Title VI anti-Semitism investigation following a complaint filed by the pro-Israel advocacy group StandWithUs Center for Legal Justice.
Moreover, the report on the JTA web site said that Youngstown State University in Ohio has also come under the spotlight, with a new anti-Semitism investigation initiated by Zachary Marschall, the editor of the conservative website “Campus Reform.” Marschall has emerged as one of the most prolific filers of Title VI complaints, wielding influence in the realm of campus accountability.
The investigation stems from a YouTube interview conducted by Marschall’s staff with the student head of the school’s Students for Justice in Palestine chapter. The JTA reported that during the interview, the Campus Reform official pressed the student to condemn Hamas, to which she responded, “Why should I condemn anything?”
Interestingly, Marschall’s complaint against Princeton, which triggered the recent investigation, has sparked debate within the university community. A spokesperson for Princeton acknowledged Marschall’s role in the complaint, highlighting his status as an outsider to the university, according to the JTA report. The complaint appears to center around chants observed during protests, expressing concerns about the widespread use of such egregious forms of anti-Semitic speech.
Notably, Princeton’s Jewish leaders have raised objections to the investigation, criticizing the lack of consultation by Marschall and disputing his characterization of the university as a raging cauldron of anti-Semitism, according to the information contained in the JTA report.
Rabbi Gil Steinlauf, director of the university’s Center for Jewish Life, provided insights into the campus climate, asserting that Princeton has not succumbed to a pervasive atmosphere of hostility towards Jewish students, unlike some of its peer institutions, as was explained in the JTA report. Steinlauf told the wire service that a majority of Jewish students do not perceive Princeton as an anti-Semitic environment, offering a nuanced perspective amid ongoing scrutiny.
In October, Princeton became the focal point of a rare apology issued by a pro-Israel group, Alums for Campus Fairness (ACF), following an accusation of anti-Semitism. Noted in the JTA report was that the director of ACF extended a quiet apology to a Princeton dean after erroneously accusing her of enabling anti-Semitism. It was revealed that the dean had unequivocally condemned Hamas in the aftermath of October 7th attacks, challenging the initial allegations leveled against her.
The report in the JTA also indicated that according to reports from the Daily Princetonian, the dean of the School of Public and International Affairs made efforts to persuade ACF director Avi Gordon to issue a public apology and retraction, denouncing his tactics as “irresponsible.” Despite exhortations from the dean, Gordon opted against issuing a public apology.
Recent developments in the realm of Title VI investigations have sparked discussions regarding the unprecedented nature of one particular case, raising questions about the criteria and motivations behind such inquiries.
The University of Michigan, which has been under scrutiny following a Title VI complaint related to anti-Semitism opened against it in February, now finds itself at the center of a second complaint. However, the origins of this latest complaint remain undisclosed at present. Despite repeated attempts by the JTA to obtain clarification, a university spokesperson has yet to provide a comment on the matter. The emergence of multiple discrimination investigations against a single institution concurrently is a rare phenomenon, the JTA report noted.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, a fourth complaint of undisclosed origin was initiated this week at the School District of Philadelphia. The district has opted not to comment to the JTA on the matter, further shrouding the circumstances surrounding the investigation in mystery.
The escalation of Title VI complaints extends beyond higher education institutions, with several large urban public school districts coming under scrutiny. According to the JTA report, notable examples include districts in New York, Chicago, Oakland, and Montgomery County, Maryland, all of which have faced investigations related to anti-Semitism since October 7th.
