Cornell University – Eric Cheyfitz

In spring 2025, Cornell University professor Eric Cheyfitz, a scholar of Indigenous studies and a critic of Israeli policy, was accused of discrimination by graduate student Oren Renard, an Israeli national and former member of Israel’s Unit 8200 intelligence corps. Renard alleged that Cheyfitz told him to leave the seminar Gaza, Indigeneity, Resistance because of his nationality. The course had already drawn attention from Cornell administrators after being described as “politically charged.” Cheyfitz denied that he acted on the basis of national origin, stating that he had asked the student to withdraw after learning that he had recorded classroom discussions and caused other students to feel unsafe participating. According to Cheyfitz, his intent was to preserve an open classroom environment, not to exclude anyone based on identity.

Cornell’s Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX opened an investigation into the incident. The office concluded that Cheyfitz had violated university policy and federal civil rights law under Title VI by effectively excluding the student on the basis of national origin. During this time, Cheyfitz’s fall 2025 courses were cancelled, and he was temporarily removed from teaching. The university’s Faculty Committee on Academic Freedom and Professional Status of the Faculty also conducted a review, using a higher evidentiary standard of “clear and convincing evidence.” The committee unanimously found that the record did not support a finding of discrimination and recommended that no sanctions be imposed.

Despite that recommendation, Cornell’s provost and dean of faculty moved forward with disciplinary action, recommending a two-semester suspension without pay. The decision led to concern among faculty members who argued that administrative leaders had overruled established governance processes. In October 2025, the matter was resolved when Cheyfitz and the university reached an agreement that ended the disciplinary case. Cheyfitz agreed to retire, remaining on paid leave with full benefits through June 2026. The university closed its case but left intact its prior finding that discrimination had occurred. Following the resolution, Cornell law professor William Jacobson announced that he intended to file a federal civil rights complaint on behalf of the student, claiming the university mishandled the case and failed to protect the student after his identity became public.