Lawsuit accuses Carnegie Mellon of 'toxic' antisemitism, receiving $500M+ from Qatar
PITTSBURGH, Pa. (TND) — A lawsuit filed by The Lawfare Project on behalf of a Jewish student at Carnegie Mellon University accuses the school of promoting a culture of “pervasive anti-Jewish discrimination,” all while receiving money from Qatar.
The student experienced repeated antisemitism at the school, the lawsuit claims, culminating in an interaction with an instructor who suggested she create a project on “what Jewish people do to make themselves so hated.” Complaints to the school’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Title IX offices did not result in meaningful action, she said.
This treatment, the lawsuit claims, is due to the school receiving more than half a billion dollars from Qatar, who could be pushing special interests at the school. The funding could be pushing the school to keep quiet about illegal discrimination.
“Through anti-discrimination lawsuits like this one, The Lawfare Project aims to shed light on the lack of transparency that exists at universities that receive foreign funding, in order to advocate for legal reforms that require greater accountability,” the group wrote. “The pervasively toxic environment found on college campuses across the country, which, in many instances, has been funded by Qatar, has resulted in illegal discrimination against Jewish students.”
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A commenter on the school’s Reddit page said they were saddened by the allegations.
“Really hoping good, honest things come from this,” they said. “It disgusts me if this kind of alleged discrimination would be permitted to continue on our campus.”
In a statement to The National Desk (TND) Thursday, a Carnegie Mellon spokesperson said the school is "steadfast in [its] commitment to create and nurture a welcoming, inclusive and supportive environment where all students can reach their potential and thrive."
"We take any allegations of mistreatment or harassment seriously. We have just received notice of this lawsuit and we will evaluate and respond to it," the spokesperson added.
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Carnegie Mellon is the latest school to become enveloped in controversy surrounding antisemitism on campus. The House on Wednesday passed bipartisan legislation formally condemning the actions of three Ivy League presidents for their responses to campus antisemitism.
Claudine Gay, the president of Harvard University, is facing mounting pressure to resign from alumni and scholars. The school announced earlier this week it would stand by Gay and keep her in her position.