What is this Settlement about?
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ("EEOC"), a United States government agency charged with enforcing the federal laws prohibiting discrimination and retaliation in employment, has entered into a Settlement with Columbia University, resolving the EEOC's Commissioner Charge, Charge Number 520-2024-05956.
The EEOC's charge alleged that Columbia University engaged in unlawful employment practices by subjecting employees to harassment based on their religion (Jewish), race (Jewish) and/or national origin (Israeli) in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended ("Title VII").
How do I know if I am in the Settlement Class?
If you were employed by Columbia University in the United States at any time between October 7, 2023 and July 23, 2025 and, during that employment, believe you were subjected to or experienced discrimination, including harassment, or retaliation during your employment because you practice Judaism and/or are Jewish and/or Israeli, you may be eligible to receive money from the Settlement Fund.
What does the Settlement provide?
The Settlement requires Columbia University to create a Settlement Fund in the amount of Twenty-One Million Dollars ($21,000,000) to be distributed to "Eligible Claimants" who sign and return a Release of Claims Form and Settlement Acceptance Form. The EEOC will have sole discretion to determine eligibility and sole discretion to decide the amount of money awarded to each Eligible Claimant from the Settlement Fund.
An "Eligible Claimant" is an individual who meets all of the following requirements:
• The individual was employed by Columbia University at any time from October 7, 2023 to July 23, 2025.
• Based on the EEOC's assessment, the individual could assert a viable claim for discrimination, including harassment, based on religion, race, and/or national origin (practicing Judaism, Jewish, and/or Israeli), and/or retaliation connected to complaints or objections of religious, racial, and/or national origin (practicing Judaism, Jewish, and/or Israeli) discrimination that occurred during their employment with Columbia University.