Columbia Bans Note Taking at Sexual Misconduct Hearings

Columbia University is threatening to punish students who take notes at sexual misconduct hearings — but some students believe it's a ploy to make it harder to hold the Ivy League school accountable, The College Fix reports.

The university previously banned recording devices at the hearings, but a new regulation now prohibits accusers and accused students from "transcribing" what happens, according to the education-news website.

Andrew Miltenberg, a lawyer who represents accused students, told The College Fix that administrators "want the ultimate discretion without having to answer for it."

"[There is] no reason for any school not to record the investigation" other than to exert more control over the proceeding," he said, adding that without a recording or transcript, it is "easy for an investigator to shift the credibility of a witness."

Columbia administrators are standing by the policy change.

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