Education Department Investigates 60 Universities for Antisemitism

Federal scrutiny intensifies as schools face allegations of failing to protect Jewish students under Title IX.

The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is investigating 60 universities for antisemitic discrimination and harassment, including prominent institutions like Harvard and Columbia University.
The investigations follow complaints of antisemitic incidents on campuses since the October 2023 Hamas-Israel conflict, with many schools accused of inadequate responses.
Columbia University lost $400 million in federal funding over alleged inaction, and an activist tied to pro-Palestinian protests there was recently arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon emphasized that federal funding for universities is contingent on adherence to antidiscrimination laws protecting all students, including Jewish students.
Some universities, such as Harvard and UCLA, are already responding with measures like hiring freezes and new initiatives to address antisemitism.