The Department of Education is investigating antisemitism allegations at five universities after the president’s executive order last week requiring federal agencies to take more action against antisemitism.
The department announced the investigations on Monday against Columbia University, Northwestern University, Portland State University, University of California, Berkeley and University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.
The investigation was opened under the department’s Office of Civil Rights for alleged Title VI violations that protects students from discrimination based on national origin.
“Too many universities have tolerated widespread antisemitic harassment and the illegal encampments that paralyzed campus life last year, driving Jewish life and religious expression underground. The Biden Administration’s toothless resolution agreements did shamefully little to hold those institutions accountable,” said Craig Trainor, acting assistant secretary for civil rights.
“Today, the Department is putting universities, colleges, and K-12 schools on notice: this administration will not tolerate continued institutional indifference to the wellbeing of Jewish students on American campuses, nor will it stand by idly if universities fail to combat Jew hatred and the unlawful harassment and violence it animates,” Trainor added.
The department said the investigations “build upon” the report House Republicans on the Education and Workforce Committee released last year documenting antisemitic incidents at college campuses around the country.
Two schools under investigation said they have received the notice and that discrimination is not tolerated on their campuses.
“We are confident in the actions we have taken to address antisemitism on our campus, including updating our Student Code of Conduct, our disciplinary procedures and making investments in public safety. We continue to work tirelessly to make our university a safe and non-discriminatory educational institution,” Northwestern University said in a statement.
Columbia University, where the pro-Palestinian protests began last spring and has been a big target of Republicans, says it has taken several steps to address antisemitism on campus.
“We look forward to ongoing work with the new federal administration to combat antisemitism and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff,” the school wrote.
The Hill has reached out to the other three schools for comment.
The Department of Education also announced Monday it was joining forces with the Justice Department and the Department of Health and Human Services to create a task force to combat antisemitism.
