University defends activities, says investigation ‘ inadequate, false’
After a U.S. House committee investigation discovered Harvard lacked the recommendations of the consulting group it set up to address the issue, it is now defending its strategy for tackling hatred.
According to the report released by the House Education and the Workforce Committee, Harvard’s Antisemitism Advisory Group gave officials” a strong set of significant recommendations… which were not made people and be unimplemented.”
The results are a part of a larger investigation into hatred on university campuses nationwide and the responses of university leaders.
In a recent email, Harvard spokesman Jason Newton expressed disappointment with the” selective passages from internal files” that offer” an incomplete and misleading view of Harvard’s entire efforts to combat antisemitism.”
The Antisemitism Advisory Group, according to Newton, chairman of internet connections at Harvard, was crucial in setting” the foundations for continued efforts to combat racism” and changing the school for the better.
He claimed that the school’s” community and school are different now because of the actions we have taken, and continue to take, to combat love and promote and cultivate civil discourse and courteous engagement.”
Previous President Claudine Gay established the consulting group in October 2023 to address “increased hatred” on school following Hamas ‘ Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel. Gay resigned a few months afterward after being accused of not doing enough to combat racism. Her departure was also connected to various accusations of theft.
The party —” composed of Harvard university, alumni]…], and a student representative” — aimed to supply” Harvard’s authority with considerable recommendations on goals and steps to address hatred at the University”, according to the House research.
However, the investigation found significant measures had not been taken to ensure the security of Harvard’s Jewish population.
None of the recommendations made by the AAG were “implemented with any real vigor,” according to North Carolina Congresswoman Virginia Foxx, who chairs the House committee, in a news release from May.
Implementing a “zero tolerance” policy for” classroom disruptions” and holding student organizations accountable for following University regulations were two suggestions.
The advisory group’s findings, according to the House report, included “dramatic declines in Jewish enrollment at Harvard” and “insufficiency of Harvard’s response to reports of antisemitic incidents.” The group also found a “need to examine terror financiers ‘ potential influence at Harvard, ]and ] The need to address masked protest on campus”, according to the Congressional investigation.
However, the investigation found” Harvard’s leaders failed to implement…]the ] recommendations”, resulting in” chaos” on campus.
For example, the report cited the “unlawful encampment” erected in Harvard Yard on April 24. This “liberated zone”, as it was christened by pro- Palestinian protestors,” caused significant disruptions of University life and became a hotbed for antisemitism incidents and even criminal conduct”, according to the investigation.
Harvard made concessions to the students responsible for the encampment in exchange for its disbandment, the report claims, rather than taking immediate action against protestors.
According to the report, these concessions ranged from considering divestment from Israel to preventing legal action by “recommendating leniency and expediting disciplinary proceedings” for student protestors who were facing” conduct charges for]their ] participation in the encampment.
MORE: Harvard is subpoenaed by the House committee for withholding documents in the antisemitism investigation.
However, Newton disagreed with the findings of the House investigation, telling The Fix that” Harvard has demonstrated its focus, commitment, and attention to combating antisemitism, and these efforts are reflected in the numerous voluminous submissions to the committee.”
” Harvard has continued to cooperate with the Committee’s inquiry and address their ongoing questions”, Newton said.
He cited steps the university has taken to ensure “antisemitism is not and will not be tolerated on our campus” and emphasized Harvard’s “unequivocal” commitment to this.
These include facilitating” student safety and support, Updating and clarifying policies, Providing multiple avenues for reporting and disciplinary processes to address violations of policy, including harassment and threats, Prioritizing respectful dialogue and civil discourse, particularly as part of an educational community, ]and ] Listening to and learning with our Jewish community”, Newton said.
However, Harvard received internal complaints about its actions as well.
A majority of the AAG threatened to resign over concerns about the inadequateness of Harvard’s response to antisemitism and a lack of clarity on the AAG’s charge and future work, according to the House report.
Congresswoman Foxx claimed in the news release that incidents like the resignation threats led her to believe that” the leadership of Harvard and former President Gay supported the university’s Antisemitism Advisory Group all for show” with no real intention to combat discrimination.
The advisory group is now defunct.  , In January, interim President Alan Garber established a similar group, the Presidential Task Force on Combating Antisemitism.
Its objectives are” to understand why and how” and “what else we might do to stop it” as “reports of antisemitic… acts on our campus have grown.” Members include faculty, administrators, and students.
Newton responded to a separate email The Fix sent to the task force regarding the investigation into the House investigation and the former advisory group. He claimed that the university had no more comments.
The Fix also contacted Harvard Hillel, the HKS Jewish Caucus and Israel Caucus, and Harvard’s Office of the President twice recently, but did not receive a response. Questions pertained to Harvard’s response to campus antisemitism, the implementation of the advisory group’s suggestions, and the House committee’s investigation.
MORE: MIT union ignored Jewish members ‘ objection to Israel boycott: federal complaint
IMAGES: Harvard/Facebook, House Education and the Workforce Committee
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