The US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has launched investigations into 60 colleges and universities over alleged violations related to antisemitic harassment and discrimination.
The department issued formal notices to the institutions on Monday, warning that failure to address these concerns could lead to consequences, including potential cuts to federal funding.
The OCR is conducting the investigations under its authority to enforce Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in institutions that receive federal funding. The department has emphasized its commitment to ensuring that Jewish students are protected from discrimination and harassment on campus.
US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stated:
“Jewish students studying on elite US campuses continue to fear for their safety amid the relentless antisemitic eruptions that have severely disrupted campus life for more than a year. University leaders must do better.”
The list of universities under review includes institutions across the country, ranging from Ivy League schools such as Harvard and Columbia to state universities and smaller colleges. Some of these schools were already under investigation before Monday’s announcement, including Columbia University, Northwestern University, Portland State University, the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
The investigations come amid increased tensions on college campuses, where pro-Palestinian demonstrations have taken place in response to the Israel-Gaza conflict. Some of these protests have resulted in arrests and disciplinary actions, particularly at Columbia University, where students staged a weeks-long encampment and occupied a campus building last year.
The Trump administration has made combating antisemitism on campuses a priority. In his second week in office, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at addressing the issue, and last month, he announced the creation of a multiagency task force to enforce these policies.
In line with this approach, the administration recently announced the cancellation of $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University, citing what it described as the school’s failure to curb antisemitism. It remains unclear which specific programs or research initiatives will be affected by the funding cut.
The investigations have sparked debate over how antisemitism should be defined and whether criticism of Israel or pro-Palestinian activism falls under that definition. Some student protesters have argued that opposing Israel’s policies is a political stance, not an expression of antisemitism.
These issues have also intersected with immigration enforcement. Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist who helped organize protests at Columbia, was recently detained by federal immigration authorities. His attorney claims the arrest is part of a broader effort to suppress student activism, while the Trump administration has defended the move as part of a crackdown on illegal protests.
A federal judge has temporarily blocked Khalil’s deportation until a court hearing can take place.
The Education Department has directed its personnel to prioritize investigations into antisemitism on campuses, aiming to address a backlog of cases. The outcome of these investigations could have significant implications for the institutions involved, particularly those that rely heavily on federal funding.
With input from CNN and the New York Times.
