Columbia University Settles Antisemitism Claims for $221 Million

During the last two years, Columbia University has been regularly in the news for on-campus antisemitic protests.  The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission responded with charges to investigate any resulting civil rights abuses against the institution’s Jewish employees.

In the EEOC’s largest public settlement of the last 20 years – and “the most significant settlement for workers of any faith or religion” in the agency’s history – Columbia will create a $21 million claims fund for employees who suffered antisemitism after October 7, 2023, to be distributed based on claimants’ responses to a confidential questionnaire.  The school will also pay a $200 million fine.

Targeting one or more employees with severe or pervasive verbal or physical harassment because of their religion creates a hostile work environment and is discrimination.

The EEOC’s Acting Chair, Andrea Lucas, said: “No employee should be subjected to harassment based on their faith . . ..”

Take Aways:

Employers must not take religion-based adverse action against any employee or applicant or permit others to do so.

For further information, please contact Tim Bowles, Cindy Bamforth or Helena Kobrin.

See also:

• Religious Discrimination is No Vacation: EEOC is Suing Marriott for Failure to Accommodate Saturday Sabbath (May 16, 2025)
• Religious Ruling Favors Employees: Supreme Court Requires Accommodation unless Substantial Cost Burden (September 1, 2023)
• Cautionary Tale Episode 79: Staffing Agency Meltdown: Discrimination Settlement Shuts Down National Firm (April 12, 2024)

Helena Kobrin
August 22, 2025