Capital District Times

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Elise Stefanik recently published an op-ed in the Washington Times addressing what she describes as the impact of far-left ideology on universities, leading to antisemitism and violations of civil rights on campuses.

In her piece titled "The Biden-Harris administration has failed our students," Stefanik calls for university leadership to take decisive action to prevent a repeat of what she terms the "horrific failures" of the past school year. She asserts that Jewish students and faculty should be able to learn and work without fear for their safety, and emphasizes that House Republicans are advocating for change and accountability.

Stefanik criticizes university presidents and board members, whom she describes as elitists with antisemitic affiliations, for pushing a divisive DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) agenda. She argues that this agenda breeds hate rather than preparing future leaders. According to Stefanik, eliminating DEI curriculum and dismantling its bureaucracy is essential for prioritizing student well-being.

She further accuses the Biden-Harris Department of Education of failing to hold university leaders accountable for antisemitic attacks against Jewish students and faculty. Stefanik recounts her questioning of former Harvard University President Claudine Gay during a congressional testimony about whether calling for genocide violates Harvard’s code of conduct. Gay's response that it "depends on the context" was highlighted by Stefanik as inadequate.

Stefanik also references former Columbia University President Minouche Shafik's handling of antisemitism on campus, which she claims led to violent incidents due to insufficient action against unauthorized pro-Hamas encampments. Both Gay and Shafik have since resigned from their positions.

House Republicans continue efforts to address these issues through subpoenas and investigations into universities' responses to harassment and violence against Jewish students. The slow progress in civil rights investigations by the Biden-Harris Administration is cited by Stefanik as indicative of continued pandering to anti-Jewish groups instead of protecting students.

Stefanik concludes by urging universities to disclose foreign funding sources transparently, pointing out vulnerabilities in foreign-gift reporting structures that allow malign actors undue influence over educational institutions.

The full op-ed can be read [here](https://stefanik.house.gov/2024/9/icymi-stefanik-op-ed-in-the-washington-times-the-biden-harris-administration-has-failed-our-students).