Biden's DOE investigates anti-semitic, Islamophobic discrimination on university campuses

On Tuesday, the Department of Education announced investigations into alleged violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act at 6 colleges over alleged ethnic discrimination, including antisemitic and Islamophobic activities on campus.

NBC reported that the Education Department is looking into violations at Stanford University, UCLA, Rutgers University, the University of California - San Diego, the University of Washington, and Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington.

A spokesperson for the Education Department told the outlet that the agency cannot comment on specific investigations or discuss what triggered the investigations, but that the statute prohibits discrimination based on national origin or race, including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics.

In similar statements, each college told NBC that it takes the allegations seriously and will cooperate fully with the investigation.

The University of Washington said that its priority is the safety and security of all students, faculty, and staff and that the school will provide the information necessary to resolve this matter.

In November, the department’s Office for Civil Rights launched similar investigations into other colleges and school districts, including Harvard University, Cornell University, Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania, Lafayette College, Wellesley College, Cooper Union, and the Maize Unified School District in Kansas.

Targeting of Jewish students and antisemitic vandalism has spiked on campuses following Hamas’ massacre of over 1,200 Israelis on Oct. 7.