A Columbia University panel investigating student complaints of intimidation by Middle East and Asian studies professors said on Thursday it found no evidence that teachers made anti-Semitic statements. The five-member committee was formed in December after a videotape backed by a pro-Israel group showed Columbia students saying that professors had mistreated them and held pro-Palestinian biases. The Columbia controversy is one of several freedom of speech issues to hit U.S. college campuses. Harvard University President Lawrence Summers was criticized for comments about women's aptitude for science, while University of Colorado Professor Ward Churchill came under fire for an article he wrote comparing Sept. 11, 2001 victims to Nazis. The Columbia panel said it found no cases where students were penalized for their views. But the report did cite deficiencies in the school's grievance and advisory procedures and said that one faculty member acted inappropriately toward a student in an exchange centering on Israel and Palestinian relations. --More 2333 Local Time 2033 GMT
