[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6565611,"mediaKeyId","3216855-df5f74ac4a8604b137f777e556a440dd","parentId",3216855,"title","Legal expert warns most inflammatory speech is protected; OCR staffing cuts hamper investigations","audioSeconds",765,"startMs",1281000,"endMs",516000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3216855-df5f74ac4a8604b137f777e556a440dd&start=1281&end=516","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3216855-df5f74ac4a8604b137f777e556a440dd/thumbnail_1281000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6565611/Legal-expert-warns-most-inflammatory-speech-is-protected-OCR-staffing-cuts-hamper-investigations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565611-6488b64b6798a6ed32618b7aa2511804/orig.mp4?Expires=1770992179&Signature=PMRIl9kJ57OIL96MtudBIrUutrDpLR6xK8rdLw-JVEkHqRcRXzJlcPu72VOtlVBggOIrsOXS5IX4TtncypWHbHsWKuNfchHKnQHKysAd5juLNJ~gh7PVikf0YJKsuAfCudb7SNOYDRU0Px0a6ezmaKX2YWhzNMl1H67MIyVYVPTGyi~SkHHq0P7PF5PKIIFzy8X4NykpMbO8Ewus1wY7c-XkZpIUC1byDHQoGXLStoaAsnrfYvhI5SbT4pMqAMBGmkUeNe168zl5JbCgQHEW8pvzFK6MkvPeTWKNgxyem4wKH~9nM3IgSdhNYD1qQlmJ2L60WJs5OcIdGasKY-d2EQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. House Committee on Education & the Workforce","date","2025-05-07T17:54:41Z","article","David Cole, the George J. Mitchell Professor in Law and Public Policy at Georgetown University Law Center, told the House Education and Labor Committee that U.S. constitutional law protects offensive or hateful speech in most circumstances and that federal civil-rights law (Title VI) reaches only certain forms of harassment that deny an individual equal access to educational opportunities.

Cole outlined two narrow Title VI circumstances in which speech can lead to liability: 1) harassment targeted at an individual because of that individual's Jewish identity and 2) conduct or speech that is so severe, pervasive and objectively offensive that it deprives a class of students of access to educational opportunities. He cited the Supreme Court standard from Davis and stressed the \"deliberate indifference\" threshold for institutional liability: a school violates Title VI only if it is deliberately indifferent to known harassment and that standard is fact-intensive.

Cole warned that broad, public accusations without case-specific fact-finding risk chilling protected speech and urged careful investigation of specific incidents rather than public condemnation without a factual record. He said the committeerooms are not the right venue to adjudicate particular campus incidents and urged that adjudication take place through OCR or campus disciplinary processes.

Several members and witnesses expressed concern about OCR's ability to investigate complaints. Multiple statements in the hearing cited OCR regional-office closures and staff reductions; witnesses and some members said seven of 12 regional OCR offices have been closed and reported staff reductions that have left remaining staff with very high caseloads. Witnesses and members urged the committee to examine OCR staffing and process as part of any effort to hold institutions accountable.

Cole recommended due-process protections in fact-finding and judicially recognized standards be maintained to avoid misclassification of protected expression as Title VI violations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Beyond the Ivy League: Stopping the Spread of Antisemitism on American Campuses","oneSentenceSummary","Legal scholar David Cole told a House committee that most inflammatory or offensive speech is constitutionally protected and that Title VI liability requires targeted harassment or conduct so severe and pervasive it denies equal access to education.","taxTitle","Education and Labor: House Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1979,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6565616,"DePaul president describes 17-day encampment, $500,000 in damage and changes to campus policy",2912,1065000,3977000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3216855-df5f74ac4a8604b137f777e556a440dd&start=1065&end=3977","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3216855-df5f74ac4a8604b137f777e556a440dd/thumbnail_1065000.jpg","/articles/6565616/DePaul-president-describes-17-day-encampment-500000-in-damage-and-changes-to-campus-policy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565616-96f362d0fe61c424c3b267366f99c227/orig.mp4?Expires=1770992179&Signature=mdfgnctE4Wt0YNVLE2A3ICQ5h26fpEEi7tf91K9NaZSDEK5Rlm9BkuniOfX--EEq2VO0Onfq-xGFm5P4FtY63Xgth3WGCnZkewfmiFhd0OX3sHwOxKcBznuFrDG63VQgvk4iE78jD6ut6uCeiW8jRLeVxpa3gEd2C2hVF5l~Cmmi~eHeT71UvedST6CfTzeM6~czXIflbIRQivhAY8SalRi3CbtRwCSVCxdBnvAwb-fNTxp8ZrqItbMdOw2dtiQTe-PnbglpjFw6kZKB4B6J79nzZRh61fuY-XRS8ubtEK8w9mVweJZFS6FIf3ux9mswP9hmO-eM8ekU-R9ALJpUng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","DePaul University President Robert Manuel described a prolonged campus encampment that began April 29 and remained in place for 17 days, causing what he said was major disruption to campus life.

Manuel told the House Education and Labor Committee that DePaul's response included coordinating with the Chicago Police Department to clear the encampment when campus safety was jeopardized. In testimony and during questioning he said the university investigated eight student groups related to events surrounding the encampment, temporarily suspended two groups and reported two arrests; he said he believed one person arrested was a student. Manuel said he did not believe any students were permanently dismissed as a result of the encampment, and that the university has updated its student-conduct code and increased public-safety spending and operational measures.

Lawmakers cited reports that the encampment produced substantial property damage (a figure of about $500,000 was referenced in questioning) and hundreds of complaints from students, including multiple reports of harassment, threats and alleged assaults. A student who testified earlier in other settings told the committee a fellow student required surgery after an attack connected to the encampment.

Manuel said DePaul has implemented ID verification and mask policies for protests, time/place/manner restrictions, hired outside security consultants and an external reviewer for campus safety, and established a Jewish engagement position and a task force on antisemitism.

Several members pressed Manuel on timing, asking why it took days to coordinate action to disband the encampment once officials were aware of threats. Manuel acknowledged the university needed to do better; he said the experience prompted the policy changes now in place. He also said the university had removed certain outside groups from campus and worked with local officials to better protect students in public-right-of-way spaces around the urban campus.

DePaul's account at the hearing illustrates the tension between allowing protest and ensuring student safety; Manuel said the university has revised practices to reduce the chance of a similar multiweek occupation recurring.","DePaul University President Robert Manuel told a House committee an extended encampment last spring produced widespread complaints and damage; the university said it has revised policies, suspended groups and coordinated with Chicago police.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6565621,"Haverford president says college is revising policies after reports of antisemitism; declines to provide aggregate discipline counts",1075,0,1075000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3216855-df5f74ac4a8604b137f777e556a440dd&start=0&end=1075","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3216855-df5f74ac4a8604b137f777e556a440dd/thumbnail_0.jpg","/articles/6565621/Haverford-president-says-college-is-revising-policies-after-reports-of-antisemitism-declines-to-provide-aggregate-discipline-counts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565621-142bcd52959db09c607d0b1100256e9d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770992179&Signature=I~uGOejNiocNzmHcMk1loF-XHwAqmb8BNbgGh2ONZJzYvF9-RXRkxEf5D0CgKvNtqotyNWvHwqrXdrD5tGECEBG856wNYiQpkBIn0AY4GQ8HcbTL2~2IcjvpFRdkNeLbYI0gubP96g6FVhR-w8jEF3mqYlTzn0BM9b3qGIgowiTzpoma3d09Lm-y0aGJXXEgLcH8-HzPYhOP5ffKAN61S6TH-kADyChCRNcPgSjBlCx6CKAeCNRxp5Rn7aF6w0zsitdFzJNvj9-LHNF7B8zWAruqIHOZL3aCNMCf1Ee6RW4RYWgB6xiqFblWXPMTEOmIC6Fa382U2gWdC4FW6E-7gw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Haverford College President Wendy Raymond told a House Education and Labor Committee hearing that the college condemns antisemitism \"in the strongest possible terms,\" described steps the college has taken since October 2023 and apologized to Jewish students who said they felt marginalized.

Raymond said Haverford, a small liberal-arts college outside Philadelphia with about 1,500 undergraduates, has updated policies, strengthened campus safety, launched programs to combat antisemitism and formed an ad hoc committee on free expression. \"I hear you and acknowledge that we can do better, and I can do better,\" Raymond said in her opening remarks.

Committee members cited a range of allegations tied to Haverford, including student and faculty social-media posts, disruptions of campus events and reports from campus groups such as Haverford's Shabbat House. Republican members pressed Raymond on specific cases and asked whether named faculty members and administrators faced discipline. Raymond repeatedly said the college investigates alleged incidents and follows disciplinary processes but declined to disclose aggregate counts of suspensions or expulsions, saying the college does not publicize those numbers.

During questioning she acknowledged that \"there have been some\" disciplinary steps but declined to provide details during the hearing. Lawmakers also cited social-media posts attributed to a religion professor and other faculty members; Raymond characterized such posts as \"incredibly harmful\" and said they were disavowed but declined to comment on individual personnel matters.

Raymond also testified that Haverford's social honor code is student-written and under active revision. She described efforts to support Jewish students through active Jewish student groups, staff and faculty networks, and policies intended to address harassment and bias.

Committee members pressed Raymond to provide more transparency on outcomes; some lawmakers said failure to disclose aggregate disciplinary statistics raised questions about accountability. Raymond committed to continuing policy reviews and to working to make the campus more welcoming to Jewish students.","Haverford College President Wendy Raymond acknowledged antisemitic incidents and policy changes but repeatedly declined to provide aggregated suspension or expulsion counts during questioning at a House committee hearing.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":91,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":94,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6565625,"House Education and Labor Committee holds hearing on antisemitism at colleges",11712,11712000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3216855-df5f74ac4a8604b137f777e556a440dd&start=0&end=11712","/articles/6565625/House-Education-and-Labor-Committee-holds-hearing-on-antisemitism-at-colleges","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6565625-f331a7dad52c809877ac4c5242f43340/orig.mp4?Expires=1770992179&Signature=gyoCz47x2x5ZsTPnNYodG5O35rbkRk7bvuYKBuunxR2ARFjlfs8qbnjttKoYQSnaBQFjvoB10CICG0HTgMcFQ3x44jq9auHZOOxKNNzY-Vtj1jZfkjuxCp7SgFobAgrH-140v~5lPTLXM4uvUxYFKragx9CUF4hm8U4-me84yScDHAnf7h2-aHc-n8gcEdjTrchgtkVl4qsNREuhywa2dbnZdiiQrD03gsPN1FWpun6MGUw9QBhO0EOkPuqNnnCYN8hbEt9S0BeEgNmZOPmpzKhVf~v7CscP7PFJ3vS2SGpuP~m3ky9LvRx6M1gM31DH4952sTk7Nn9BKrNGy6YV8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Education and Labor Committee convened a hearing on campus antisemitism featuring presidents of Haverford College, DePaul University and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, along with Georgetown law professor David Cole.

Committee members opened the session with statements describing incidents at Haverford, DePaul and Cal Poly and asking the witnesses about disciplinary responses, campus safety, and how their institutions balance free expression with civil-rights obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Witnesses included Wendy Raymond, president of Haverford College; Robert Manuel, president of DePaul University; David Cole, the George J. Mitchell Professor in Law and Public Policy at Georgetown University Law Center; and Jeffrey Armstrong, president of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

In opening remarks, members and witnesses described three recurring themes: reports by Jewish students of harassment and hostile rhetoric on some campuses; differing interpretations of when offensive or threatening speech rises to a civil-rights violation under Title VI; and concerns that the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has reduced capacity to investigate complaints after regional-office and staffing cuts. David Cole emphasized that Title VI addresses discriminatory denial of equal access to education and that most offensive or inflammatory speech is constitutionally protected unless it is targeted, severe, pervasive and objectively denies access to educational opportunities.

Committee members pressed the three university presidents on concrete outcomes. DePaul's president described a multiweek encampment last spring that the university said produced numerous complaints, property damage and, after coordinated action with Chicago police, resulted in group suspensions and two arrests. DePaul reported eight student groups investigated, two groups temporarily suspended and two arrests in connection with the encampment, and said it revised student conduct rules and campus security practices afterward.

Haverford's president acknowledged harms to Jewish students and said the college had updated policies and established an ad hoc free-expression committee, but repeatedly declined to provide aggregate counts of suspensions or expulsions, saying the college does not publicize those numbers. Cal Poly's president described training, a new antisemitism task force, mandatory orientation and employee training, and partnerships with Hillel, Chabad and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).

Members of the committee — Democrats and Republicans alike — repeatedly said they sought stronger campus accountability, though they offered differing prescriptions. Some Republican members pressed university leaders to adopt stricter campus enforcement and punitive consequences; Democratic members and witnesses cautioned that federal enforcement must follow fact-based investigations and that OCR capacity remains essential to adjudicating Title VI claims fairly.

The hearing record will remain open for 14 days for written statements and supplemental material, the chairman said.

The hearing did not produce formal committee actions or votes; it was a fact-finding and oversight session.","A House Education and Labor Committee hearing focused on allegations of antisemitism at several U.S. colleges, competing views on free speech versus Title VI enforcement, and concerns about the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights capacity to investigate claims.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Legal expert warns most inflammatory speech is protected; OCR staffing cuts hamper investigations

DePaul president describes 17-day encampment, $500,000 in damage and changes to campus policy

Haverford president says college is revising policies after reports of antisemitism; declines to provide aggregate discipline counts

House Education and Labor Committee holds hearing on antisemitism at colleges