Colleges grapple with guarding free speech, condemning hate speech

Presidents of some of the nation’s top universities faced grilling from Congress over reports of antisemitism on campus in a hearing that illustrated the challenges schools face when balancing free speech with protecting students.

Former University of Pennsylvania President Liz McGill has already resigned over her responses. Harvard issued a statement backing President Claudine Gay even as Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., announced an investigation into the school.

The Israel-Hamas war has sparked protests on both sides, from those backing Israel’s response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attack and from pro-Palestinian protesters who object to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza. Universities have reported a rise in both antisemitism and Islamophobia.