Rep. Virginia Foxx, who is leading the House investigation into anti-Semitism on campus, on Tuesday accused Harvard University of producing “useless” documents in response to a subpoena.
“We don't know whether arrogance, incompetence or indifference is guiding Harvard,” North Carolina Republican Rep. Foxx said in a statement. “In any case, what has been done is shameful.”
Many of the 2,500 pages are duplicates of documents already submitted, and heavy redactions have rendered some documents worthless, she said.
Harvard University said it was acting in good faith and has submitted nearly 4,900 pages of documents, not including duplicates, to the House Education and Labor Committee since January.
The university also released a four-page document detailing its efforts to combat anti-Semitism on campus, including increased enforcement of social media and stricter rules against demonstrations. This summary was the only part of Harvard's submission that was made public. The committee did not release any materials.
“Harvard University is focused on ensuring the safety and sense of belonging of our Jewish students, so all members of our community are protected, accepted, valued, and able to thrive at Harvard University. '' said spokesperson Jason Newton.
In early February, after Harvard filed its first round of filings, Congressman Foxx criticized Harvard's response as “limited and delayed.” She said the university turned over a letter from the nonprofit organization and a copy of the publicly available student handbook.
A subpoena was quickly issued requesting “all Harvard University meeting minutes and/or summaries, formal or unofficial, since January 1, 2021,” as well as a wide range of other documents. Ta.
Since Harvard University and the House of Representatives are at odds, it is unclear what kind of impact it will have. “The committee is considering appropriate responses to Harvard University's misconduct,” said Congressman Foxx.
The committee was already in uncharted territory. Harvard University is the first university since its founding in 1867 to be served with a subpoena by the Commission on Education and Labor, said Nick Varley, a commission spokesman.
conflict This is perhaps just the most visible example of the divisions that have taken hold on campus since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, with many Jewish students, alumni, and donors claiming that Harvard University is anti-Semitic. They say they are not doing enough to protect students from slogans and social slogans. Messaging and campus protests.
Other universities are also struggling with the challenge of responding to Hamas attacks in Gaza and rising death tolls and hunger as the war continues. The campus becomes the scene of violent protests by pro-Palestinian students and some faculty members.
Congressman Foxx also announced an investigation into anti-Semitism at the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University, and MIT.
