Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong is representing the university at a Congressional hearing on antisemitism today. Mustang News reporter Leila Touati is in Washington, D.C., gathering updates directly from the hearing.
Our staff will provide continuous coverage throughout the morning on this live blog. For audio updates, tune in to KCPR at 91.3 FM or stream online at KCPR.org.
Hearing ends, Walberg makes closing remarks
10:35 a.m.
Walberg adjourned the hearing at 10:35 a.m. with closing remarks. He thanked the campuses — especially to DePaul and Cal Poly — for “remedying their mistakes” and taking actions against antisemitism.
“I oppose discrimination of all kinds,” Walberg said. “Antisemitism, racism, sexism, discrimination of all kinds. I believe this committee will stand in that same light.”
He also expanded on physical altercations that resulted from the protests and demonstrations that occurred on these campuses.
Walberg said anyone in the country under a student visa needs to comply with civil rights law and the legal terms of their visas. Over 1,800 visa revocations impacted international students and alumni, Inside Higher Ed reported. Four Cal Poly affiliates were previously affected, but their visas have been restored, Mustang News reported.
Walberg said that free speech sometimes leads to discriminatory actions, in reference to pro-Palestinian activism. He said that is why “we are here today.”
David Cole’s legal perspective on today’s hearing
10:15 a.m.
Rep. Scott asked Cole, Georgetown’s law professor, why he believes civil rights investigations are needed as opposed to hearings like this.
“The line between protected speech that is antisemitic and discrimination that is antisemitic is a hard line to draw,” Cole said. “It’s not a line I’ve heard a single Republican care about on this committee, but it’s a line that the Constitution requires us to draw.”
He believes in engaging in close considerations of all the facts around the situation.
“Instead, all they’ve [the committee] done is bring in presidents and berate them based on the committee’s version of the facts, which may or may not be true,” Cole said.
Additionally, Higher Ed Subcommittee Vice Chair Rep. Michael Baumgartner (R-WA) strongly questioned Haverford President Raymond on statistics at the start of the Israel-Hamas war, including:
- The number of Americans killed on Oct. 7, though Raymond said there “were some in Israel.”
- The number of hostages taken as a result of Oct. 7, in which Raymond said “some were.”
- The number of Americans currently held hostage by Hamas. Raymond was unable to answer this question.
When asked if Haverford President Wendy Raymond condemns Hamas, she said, “Yes, I do.”
When asked if Raymond doesn’t know these statistics because the victims are Jewish, she said, “That’s absolutely not true.”
Raymond: “We are bereft by what happened in Israel and for all that were impacted, period. We are horrified by this time in history.”
Baumgartner said Oct. 7 is the greatest terrorist attack on Americans since 9/11. He also said the Haverford College president should know these facts off the top of her head.
Fact-check:
- 46 American citizens were killed on the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack, according to the Congressional record. More than 1,200 people were killed overall.
- 251 total hostages were taken on Oct. 7, 2023, according to the Congressional record.
- Three Americans are currently being held hostage by Hamas, according to NPR. Seven American citizens were originally held hostage, but four died in captivity.
At an ‘inflection point’: Rep. Summer Lee on college campuses
10 a.m.
Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA) continued to critique the committee, saying that college campuses have historically been “inflection points” where ideas are freely shared. Rep. Lee referred to college campus protests of the Vietnam War 50 years ago and objections to South Africa’s apartheid.
“College campuses have always been where those tension lines collide more visibly and more profoundly than anywhere else in our country,” Lee said.
Lee stressed that free speech is under attack, but is motivated by control and a political agenda rather than for the safety of students.
‘Zionists are welcome on our campus,’ Raymond said, as Rep. Randy Fine grills Haverford president on Zionism
9:42 a.m
Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL) is the newest member of the committee, according to the press conference yesterday. He said he wants to eliminate antisemitism before his son joins college next year. Rep. Fine was wearing a yamaka or kippah, or a traditional brimless cap primarily worn by Jewish men.
Fine spoke heatedly at President Raymond about her campus’ attitudes toward Zionism, and a Haverford professor who stated “Zionism is nazism is fascism, zionists are racists.”
“Zionists are welcome on our campus,” Raymond said. “And Zionists are Jews and not Jews.”
Additionally, Walberg submitted the ADL report cards to the Congressional record. On March 3, Cal Poly received an “F” for its administrative policies and campus climate concerns, Mustang News previously reported.
On April 4, the university’s ADL grade changed to a “D” after the implementation of “new policy actions,” including the antisemitism task force.
Armstrong explains university police actions, Cole criticizes the committee’s work
9:30 a.m.
When asked about how Jewish students are protected on campus, Armstrong talked about the strong city and campus relationship between law enforcement.
“We work very hard to make sure all students have a safe learning environment,” Armstrong said. “So our university police partnered with off-campus city police in a very positive way.”
Armstrong also mentioned the time, place and manner rules to “balance” free speech and safety from harassment and discrimination.
Additionally, Professor at Georgetown Law David Cole heavily criticized the committee itself.
“Of course, there’s a problem with antisemitism,” Cole said. “This hearing, this set of hearings this committee has engaged in, is not a solution to that problem.”
“There is no effort to discern the difference between protected speech and discrimination,” Cole said, “Our Constitution requires that we make that distinction; this committee has not made any effort to make that distinction.”
Cole also pointed to the cutting of multiple Office of Civil Rights Offices, including one in San Francisco.
“We have a problem with antisemitism. We have a problem with sexism. Let’s deal with that problem, but instead the committee brings in presidents, dredges up allegations that have not been determined to be true or false and just throws them out as if that’s not the problem in any way,” Cole said.
Rep. Burgess Owens tells presidents to ‘get rid of this rot within your colleges’
9:08 a.m.
It’s been over a year since the first antisemitism hearing from the committee, criticizing Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania, Rep. Burgess Owens (R-Utah) said.
Owens points to college campuses as “feeding grounds” for hate, believing students are being taught to be Marxists.
“The KKK would love the environment we’re seeing on college campuses, ” Owens said, mentioning his upbringing in the Deep South during the Jim Crow era.
“If you have people that hate our kids and hate each other and teach that, it’s not going to change,” he said. “And we will have to change it at a federal level.”
Rep. Virginia Foxx questions presidents on anti-Zionism, BDS
8:57 a.m.
Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) questioned the three presidents on the topic of anti-Zionism and the boycott, divestment, sanctions movement (BDS).
Foxx asked Armstrong if he believes anti-Zionism can constitute national origin discrimination, to which Armstrong answered “yes.” She also asked if Cal Poly supports BDS, to which Armstrong answered, “no.”
Foxx focused primarily on DePaul’s April 2024 encampment, questioning President Manual what inclusivity means and DePaul’s Israel study abroad program.
Rep. Greg Casar calls out the committee and the purpose of today’s hearing
8:53 a.m.
Representative Greg Casar (D-TX) pressed Republican colleagues on the committee to condemn Donald Trump’s pardon of a Jan. 6 2021 rioter who praised Hitler and his history of engaging with extremist groups. The question did not receive a response from the committee members.
“This hearing, called by the Republican majority, is all about Trump republicans distorting the definition of antisemitism to silence anyone, including Jewish students, who speak out non-violently against what the Israeli government is doing,” Rep. Casar said.
Rep. Jahana Hayes criticizes the committee
8:42 a.m.
Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-CT) implores the committee to take a stand against discrimination on all forms.
“To the college presidents, you will find no safe harbor here if you have not taken actions and steps to ensure students are safe on your campuses. All students.”
Hayes urged the committee to agree that discrimination is intolerable on college campuses, and they have a duty to ensure civil rights of students are protected.
“This committee has done nothing, actually some of the actions taken by this committee have targeted some of those students and literally made them unsafe on campus,” Hayes said.
Hayes asked Armstrong if he has implemented reporting mechanisms for incidents of bias on campu, to which Armstrong answered “yes.”
DePaul under fire from Rep. Lisa McClain
8:36 a.m.
Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) sharply questioned DePaul University leadership over their handling of antisemitism on campus, including a 17-day encampment organized by Students for Justice in Palestine. She criticized the administration for taking six days to involve campus safety and questioned the lack of consequences for leadership following the alleged physical assault of a Jewish student.
McClain also referenced two Jewish students who sued the university, one of whom, Michael Kaminsky, spoke at the press conference yesterday.
McBath implores Americans to ‘compare what they hear from my republican colleagues today to the actions that they take when the cameras aren’t rolling’
8:32 a.m.
Rep. McBath (D-GA) speaks, saying she believes the Trump administration and House republicans are seemingly more motivated by social media virality than rooting out antisemitism.
“Any attempt to explain one of the oldest forms of ethnic and religious hatred solely for political gain is truly a disservice to the American people,” McBath said. “Fighting antisemitism should not be used as a political tool. The work is simply too important and the stakes are simply too high.”
McBath criticized recent actions by the Trump administration and House republicans, saying they have pardoned and defended the actions of “violent felons and rabid antisemites.”
“I ask the American ppl and all those who truly care about religious freedom in this country to compare what they hear from my republican colleagues today to the actions that they take when the cameras aren’t rolling.”
Rep. Elise Stefanik’s questioning of Haverford
8:30 a.m
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) asked if the genocide of Jews is against campus conduct policies.
“You are the one university president who failed to lay out if any disciplinary actions have been taken,” Rep. Stefanik said to Haverford President Wendy Raymond, who has repeatedly said she cannot disclose disciplinary actions due to privacy concerns.
Rep. Alma Adams inquires about Cal Poly’s upcoming interfaith center
8:20 a.m.
Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC) expressed interest in the creation of Cal Poly’s upcoming interfaith center.
“We cannot confront hate unless we can listen to the people living with it,” Alma said, adding that she met with Jewish students at Columbia University to learn their experiences.
Armstrong said that the establishment of an interfaith center was delayed due to Covid-19.
He also referenced Hillel’s Peace in the Middle East dialogue between two negotiators, Mustang News previously reported. SJP condemned the event, saying that both speakers unequivocally support Israel’s military actions in Gaza and their takes were “lukewarm.”
In previous interviews, SLO Hillel Executive Director Lauren Bandari and Chabad co-presidents Steph Sussman and Avi Shapiro said an interfaith center would be beneficial to the Jewish community.
Rep. Mike Takano explains the difficulty of filing religious discrimination, undermining the committee
8:09 a.m.
Rep. Mike Takano (D-Calif.) from Riverside County is called to speak. Takano stated that half of the Office of Civil Rights regional offices nationwide have been closed, overwhelming the civil rights system and delaying claim responses.
“The concern of this committee about antisemitism, in reality, seems to be very hollow and empty because they’re not concerned about how you actually investigate and adjudicate a claim of religious discrimination, am I correct?”
Armstrong called “a strong proponent of DEI”
8:03 a.m.
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) is called to speak and calls President Armstrong a “strong proponent of DEI.”
“Cal Poly is a very competitive university, and we have been admitting students under Prop. 209. It’s been in existence for more than 25 years in California,” Armstrong said. “So we’ve been operating under an affirmative action ban at that time, and we have had significant changes in the makeup of our population.”
“I would like to know the percentage of conservative professors and the percentage of Republicans,” Rep. Wilson responded. “I’m sadly concerned there are none or very few.”
Armstrong sends campuswide email providing his opening statement
8:00 a.m.
The Office of the President sent a campus-wide email at 8 a.m. providing President Armstrong’s opening statement. This is the university’s first acknowledgment of Armstrong’s appearance in Congress.
Armstrong is joined by Avi Shapiro and Mia Kaplan Kirstensen, student leaders from SLO Hillel and Chabad Cal Poly, according to the email.
In his email, Armstrong listed actions the university has taken to support the Jewish community.
- “First, we have spoken out to clearly oppose antisemitism.
- Second, we are enhancing our mandatory student orientation and biennial employee training to provide greater education and awareness about antisemitism.
- Third, we are establishing a new Presidential Antisemitism Task Force that will develop an action plan focused on Jewish student life, antisemitism education and cultural awareness.
- Fourth, we are endowing a chair in Jewish studies and building an interfaith center that includes Jewish students. Our efforts to support Jewish students and combat antisemitism have made progress. I want to emphasize that our goal is continuous improvement.”
Cal Poly’s disciplinary actions laid out
7:52 a.m.
President Armstrong reports to the committee that six Cal Poly students faced disciplinary actions, ranging from a two-quarter suspension to deferred suspension to probation.
In comparison, Haverford College’s president said they do not publicize the numbers.
At DePaul University, eight student groups faced disciplinary action: two student groups were suspended and put on probation and two arrests were made after the encampment.
Armstrong begins his testimony
7:48 a.m.
Armstrong emphasized the university’s “Learn by Doing” approach to “hands-on practical experience, learning from those experiences and constantly getting better.”
He said he’s worked with the ADL and other campus Jewish leaders, resulting in enhancements of the anti-discrimination training at the beginning of the academic year and plans to build an interfaith center.
Armstrong also addressed the three Jewish students who flew out to Washington, D.C., for the hearing. He said the campus has enjoyed its “vibrant Jewish community,” with the number of Jewish students on campus having doubled since 2011.
The four witnesses of today’s hearing introduced
7:45 a.m.
The committee introduces four witnesses, including the three university presidents testifying and David Cole, Georgetown Law and Public Policy professor. Cole formerly worked for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
Wendy Raymond, president of Haverford College, started the opening statements. She said the wake of Oct. 7 “caused unfathomable pain” to the campus community.
“We can do better and I can do better. And to our Jewish students here today, you are valued members of our community. […] I am committed to getting this right,” Raymond said.
Chairman Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) begins his remarks for the Committee hearing.
7:30 a.m.
“At Cal Poly, at least one faculty member has been complicit in harassing Jewish students who were trying to attend an Israel-related special lecture,” Walberg said.
Rep. Robert “Bobby” Scott (D-VA) started with his remarks that campuses should be free from antisemitism and other forms of discrimination. He also addresses May as Jewish Heritage Month.
The current administration is trying to get rid of “this,” Rep. Scott said about the 1,200 alleged antisemitic incidents under the federal Office of Civil Rights.
Scott ended his remarks with hopes for today’s hearing to include a productive conversation and be solutions-oriented.