House Republicans are intensifying their oversight of California’s top medical schools by demanding access to internal documents as part of an investigation into alleged antisemitism. The inquiry comes from the House Education and Workforce Committee, chaired by Rep. Tim Walberg of Michigan, who has set a two-week deadline for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and UC San Francisco (UCSF) to comply. The committee aims to assess how these institutions have handled reports of Jewish individuals facing “hostility and fear” on campus.
In this investigation, Walberg’s letters specifically request “all documents and communications” related to reported antisemitic incidents dating back to September 1, 2021. He emphasizes the need for transparency, calling for internal communications among staff and administrators regarding these complaints. “The Committee has become aware that Jewish students, faculty, and patients have been experiencing hostility and fear at the university,” he stated, asserting a lack of meaningful response from the universities to address these serious concerns.
The concerns are stark. For instance, students have reported that, as a result of campus culture, they feel compelled to hide aspects of their Jewish identity while attending school. One grave incident highlighted in the letter describes a comment made to a Jewish student that “Jews control the banks.” Another was an unsettling remark from a lab technician suggesting that Israel deserved the violence that occurred on October 7. Such examples illustrate the troubling atmosphere that Jewish students describe.
In conjunction with this inquiry, Walberg also sent a similar request to the University of Illinois College of Medicine, signaling that this investigation is broader than just the California universities. Notably, the investigative efforts coincide with actions taken by the previous administration, which had already suspended approximately $584 million in federal funding from UCLA over similar issues related to antisemitism and discrimination.
The Trump administration’s actions were driven by findings that UCLA violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The administration previously demanded $1 billion from UCLA to resolve ongoing allegations of antisemitism, along with the establishment of a $172 million claims fund for alleged victims of discrimination. UC President James Milliken has stated that the university is reviewing the proposal and underscored the negative consequences such a hefty financial demand could impose on public education and research. He remarked, “Demanding $1 billion from a publicly funded, leading research institution is a misuse of tax dollars that will hurt the University’s mission of serving students and the public.”
This financial strain has garnered significant attention, especially given that the university is critical for technological advancements and medical therapies vital for both economic and national security. Milliken pointed out that this could have devastating effects on the university system and, by extension, on all Californians. He affirmed that UCLA has prioritized combating antisemitism and protecting Jewish community members on campus.
This ongoing situation reflects a rising focus on antisemitism within academic environments. In July, UCLA agreed to pay $6 million to settle a lawsuit concerning its handling of anti-Israel protests that led to what was called a “Jew Exclusion Zone” on campus. As discussions continue about these serious allegations, the responses from these universities may determine their standing within the broader conversation about ensuring safe and inclusive educational spaces for all students.
As of now, UCLA, UCSF, and the University of Illinois College of Medicine have not responded to requests for comment regarding the latest developments in this investigation. The implications of this inquiry could reshape how educational institutions manage allegations of discrimination and promote inclusivity on their campuses.
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