DePaul president testifies on campus encampments, says university did not handle it very well
CHICAGO (WLS) -- A group of university presidents were called to testify on Capitol Hill over concerns of antisemitism on college campuses across the country on Wednesday.
DePaul President Dr. Robert Manuel was one of three university leaders questioned by members of the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Following that testimony, some are accusing DePaul's president of suppressing free speech. Others say efforts to combat antisemitism have changed little.
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For more than three hours, Manuel was grilled for how the pro-Palestinian protests and encampments on campus was handled.
"We have made mistakes along the way," Manuel said. "As DePaul's leader, I want to acknowledge that openly."
At times the exchanges, led mostly by House Republicans proved tense.
The encampment lasted more than two weeks on the school's Lincoln Park campus in the spring of 2024.
Dr. Manuel: "Our immediate instinct was to work with our students."
U.S. Rep Lisa McClain: How did that go?
Dr. Manuel "Not very well."
Michigan Congresswoman Lisa McClain mentioned Michael Kaminsky by name. Kaminsky was one of two Jewish students attacked on DePaul's campus in November.
One suspect has since been charged with aggravated battery and hate crime counts, while the other masked attacker remains at large.
During the hearing, Manuel apologized to the two Jewish students who were assaulted, referring to the incident as a hate crime.
At one point, Manuel also apologized for how the encampment was handled.
"Your apologies are a little hollow," McClain responded.
"To this day, only one person has yet to be arrested, and it is clear that Jewish students are still unsafe on their campus," Kaminsky said.
During the hearing, Manuel spent time detailing new efforts to prevent what he called "masked harassment" on campus.
DePaul's new "identification verification" policy "requires students, faculty and staff to temporarily remove masks or face coverings upon request from a Public Safety Officer."
"The changes we have made are already fostering a culture of accountability on our campus," Manuel said. "As a person of faith, and personally committed to confronting antisemitism wherever it appears in our institutions and in our communities and in ourselves."
Hours after speaking on Capitol Hill, a group of DePaul students spoke on campus with leaders of the group Students for Justice in Palestine.
"Today we heard from President Manuel himself testify and brag about silencing and suppressing Palestinian voices which he claims will keep other students safe," Student Olivia Zayed said. "He has made it clear that he supports the stereotyping of Palestinian students as violent criminals, not worthy of free speech."
Manuel said DePaul has enforced limits on campus protests and suspended Students For Justice in Palestine, which helped organize the encampment.
"He threw us under the bus, and I think it's unfortunate that he had the opportunity to further defend freedom of speech and protect our rights as students on campus, and unfortunately he did not do that today," said Henna Ayesh with Students For Justice in Palestine.
Manuel said DePaul has also created a task force on antisemitism and last week instituted a new identity verification policy allowing safety officers to "request the removal of a mask or face covering when there is a clear reason to do so."
The Chicago Jewish Alliance told ABC7 Chicago that DePaul's new identification verification policy is a step in the right direction, but some Jewish students remain skeptical.
"The antisemitism... has not gone down since the encampment. It's only changed forms," said Dovid Bulgatz with Students Supporting Israel. "Just because it's not open and in front like it was during the encampment doesn't mean it's not still there."
DePaul released the following full statement:
"President Manuel is grateful for the opportunity to meet with our lawmakers and describe all that DePaul has done to confront antisemitism on campus.
Throughout his testimony, he shared the actions DePaul has taken to strengthen and protect our community. Combating antisemitism requires vigilance, humility, and a commitment to continuous learning.
We have implemented systemic changes designed to eliminate antisemitism at DePaul and affirm our values of safety, belonging, and shared responsibility.
Some of these include implementing a new Identity Verification Policy, appointing a Special Advisor to the President on Jewish Engagement who will lead a university task force dedicated to combating antisemitism, and creating a Jewish alumni affinity group to build meaningful connections among Jewish graduates. More information is available at https://go.depaul.edu/stopantisemitism."
