(INDIANAPOLIS, IN) – In a letter sent today to Congresswoman Virgina Fox and the other members of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Education, the CEO and International President of Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity (AEPi), the world’s leading Jewish college fraternity, called on Congress to immediately take steps to protect Jewish college students at Columbia University and other campuses across the United States.

The letter states:

“Does a Jewish student have to be killed on a college campus before you act? Yesterday morning, we woke up to the news that once again, Columbia is failing to act and has given unlawful protesters a 48-hour extension for ‘compliance.’ The president of Columbia cited free speech concerns as the reason for extension, but what we are seeing is not about free speech. Universities, including Columbia, have not hesitated in many other instances to stifle or control speech on campus as they are allowed to do by law especially when it causes substantial disruption.”

The letter goes on to urge the Congressional committee to act immediately:

Acting now would send an unequivocal message that all people have the right to pursue an education in universities across this land. Please send this message by immediately suspending all federal financial assistance to Columbia University pending the outcome of a formal title VI investigation and, if necessary, send the National Guard to restore order and protect Jewish students and faculty.

“Our undergraduate members at Columbia University and other campuses want the same protections that Universities provide to all other groups. They should not have to hide their backgrounds and beliefs because University administrators and campus law enforcement officials are unable or unwilling to act. As the largest and leading Jewish fraternity in the world, we are concerned for our members’ safety and for the safety of the entire Jewish campus community. The time to act is now…before it is too late,” added AEPi CEO Rob Derdiger.

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About Alpha Epsilon Pi

Alpha Epsilon Pi is the world’s largest and leading Jewish college fraternity, operating chapters on more than 150 college campuses in the United States, Canada, the U.K., and Israel. Founded in 1913, AEPi has more than 110,000 living alumni. The fraternity’s mission – developing the future leaders of the Jewish communities – is demonstrated every day through acts of brotherhood, Tzedakah (charity), social awareness and support for Jewish communities and Israel.