Kasowitz and Columbia University Announce Settlement of Lawsuit

Earlier today, Columbia University, StandWithUs Center for Legal Justice, Students Against Antisemitism, Inc., and a majority of the student plaintiffs announced an agreement to resolve the claims asserted in the federal court action Students Against Antisemitism, Inc. et al. v. The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York et al. (S.D.N.Y. 1:24-cv-01306-VSB-SN).  As part of the confidential settlement, Columbia has committed to additional programming on antisemitism and scholarships for students who have worked, studied or lived in Israel.

Over the past year, Columbia has committed to implement important measures to address antisemitism on its campus and to ensure access and inclusion of all students to the University’s educational mission and environment.  Many of those institutional actions were proposed by members of our community and outside experts, including the appointment of a Title VI coordinator and commitments to additional antisemitism training and education programs.  We have also studied the measures our peers have adopted, and believe that all of our actions complement Columbia’s efforts to cultivate a campus community where all students feel respected.  

Columbia University’s Acting President Claire Shipman stated: “Antisemitism is antithetical to Columbia’s values. I believe that this settlement is an important step – one of many needed – to promote healing within our community.  I am grateful to the members of our community who have provided and will continue to provide constructive ideas as we chart our path forward.” 

Marc Kasowitz of Kasowitz LLP, counsel for the plaintiffs, stated: “Columbia’s commitment and approach to implementing effective long-term changes and meaningful actions to combat antisemitism demonstrate its strong commitment to protecting the rights of Jewish and Israeli students on its campus.  The actions the University has taken over the past year, including the decision to appoint a Title VI coordinator and to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism in its antidiscrimination policies, are essential steps in fighting antisemitism on our campuses.  I encourage other colleges and universities to do the right thing, proactively make changes, and follow Columbia’s lead.”