The U.S. Department of Education has launched proceedings to revoke Columbia University’s academic accreditation, citing violations of federal civil rights laws and a failure to protect Jewish students from harassment and discrimination.
Federal officials accuse the university’s leadership of “deliberate indifference” to antisemitic incidents on campus, particularly following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. According to the complaint, mass protests, building occupations, and a hostile environment created unequal access to education for Jewish students.
In response to earlier concerns, the university saw $400 million in federal funding frozen under a March 2025 directive. Columbia pledged reforms, including banning face coverings at protests, but the Department of Education has deemed these efforts insufficient.
Losing accreditation would carry far-reaching consequences: degrees issued by the university could lose official recognition, and students may become ineligible for federal scholarships and loans. Columbia has been formally notified and is expected to respond within the required time frame.
