Columbia University’s accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (the Commission) is under scrutiny following a formal notification from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR). The OCR has determined that Columbia University is in violation of federal antidiscrimination laws, a finding that directly impacts its adherence to the Commission’s standards for accreditation.
The notification, issued today, stems from President Trump’s Executive Order, “Reforming Accreditation to Strengthen Higher Education,” which mandates prompt disclosure of noncompliance findings to accrediting bodies.
The Middle States Commission’s “Standards for Accreditation and Requirements of Affiliation” explicitly state that accredited institutions must demonstrate “compliance with all applicable government laws and regulations.” Given the OCR’s recent determination, Columbia University appears to no longer meet this crucial standard.
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U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon spoke regarding the gravity of the situation.
“After Hamas’ October 7, 2023, terror attack on Israel, Columbia University’s leadership acted with deliberate indifference towards the harassment of Jewish students on its campus. This is not only immoral, but also unlawful,” Secretary McMahon stated.
She emphasized the significant public responsibility of accreditors as “gatekeepers of federal student aid,” determining eligibility for federal student loans and Pell Grants.
“Just as the Department of Education has an obligation to uphold federal antidiscrimination law, university accreditors have an obligation to ensure member institutions abide by their standards,” she added, expressing the Department’s expectation for the Commission to keep them informed of actions taken to ensure Columbia’s compliance.
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The core of the federal noncompliance finding traces back to a May 22, 2025, determination by the Department of Education’s OCR and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights (HHS OCR).
Their joint investigation concluded that Columbia University acted with “deliberate indifference towards the harassment of Jewish students,” thereby violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Specifically, the OCR and HHS OCR found that Columbia “failed to meaningfully protect Jewish students against severe and pervasive harassment on Columbia’s campus and consequently denied these students’ equal access to educational opportunities to which they are entitled under the law.”
This federal action follows a directed investigation initiated by OCR on February 3, 2025. The investigation aimed to determine if Columbia University discriminated against, enabled the harassment of, or tolerated violence against students and faculty based on their Jewish ancestry, in violation of Title VI and its implementing regulations. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits recipients of federal funding from discriminating on the basis of race, color, or national origin.
READ :Columbia University Found In Violation Of Federal Civil Rights Act Against Jewish Students
Under federal regulations, accreditors are now required to notify Columbia University of this federal noncompliance finding and establish a clear plan for the institution to come into compliance. Should Columbia University fail to rectify the situation within a specified timeframe, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education is mandated to take “appropriate action” against the university as a member institution.
The coming weeks and months will undoubtedly see heightened scrutiny on Columbia University as it navigates these serious federal findings and works to address the concerns raised by both the U.S. Department of Education and its accrediting body. The university’s ability to retain its accreditation and continued access to federal student aid hinges on its swift and effective response to these civil rights violations.
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