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Northwestern University Among 5 Universities Under Investigation for Antisemitic Harassment

Investigation Launched by Trump Administration’s Department of Education

EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern University and four other schools are being investigated by the Trump Administration’s Department of Education for what it calls “widespread antisemitic harassment” in the wake of large pro-Palestinian protests that broke out on Northwestern’s and other campuses last spring.

Focus on Title VI Violations

The Department of Education’s investigation will focus on Title VI violations. Title VI, part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, protects people from discrimination on the basis of race, color and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance — such as universities.

Background on Protests

Not long after Israel retaliated against Hamas for its attack into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, students at several universities set up encampments with a pro-Palestinian message, calling for their universities to divest themselves from any business ties to Israel. Some of the protests were dismantled by police.

Investigation and Consequences

Now, the Department of Education has launched an investigation into five universities, including Northwestern, for discrimination against Jewish students.

The Department of Education says its investigation is based on a House committee hearing that showed universities and administrations “overwhelmingly failed to protect or support their Jewish students.”

The investigation comes less than a week after President Trump signed an executive order to cancel student visas and deport students who aren’t U.S. citizens for taking part in the pro-Palestinian protests.

Statement from Department of Education

Craig Trainor, acting assistant to the secretary for civil rights, said in a statement, “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.”

Other Universities Under Investigation

Also being investigated are Columbia University, Portland State, the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Minnesota.

Northwestern’s Response

While law enforcement was needed to break up some protest encampments — sometimes violently — Northwestern made a deal with protestors.

In return for protestors dropping their demands for divestment from Israel and removing their protest encampments, the school agreed to allow protesting to continue under specific conditions, re-establish an advisory committee on investment responsibility, support visiting Palestinian faculty and students at-risk, and create prayer space for Middle Eastern, North African and Muslim students.

After a Biden Administration investigation, Northwestern also created a committee against antisemitism and updated its code of conduct to create tighter restrictions for on-campus protests.

Northwestern says it will cooperate with the current Department of Education investigation, and a university spokesperson wrote in a statement: “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.”

Conclusion

The investigation into Northwestern University and four other universities highlights the ongoing concerns about antisemitic harassment on college campuses. The Trump Administration’s Department of Education has made it clear that it will not tolerate such behavior and will take action to protect Jewish students.

FAQs

Q: What is the purpose of the investigation?

A: The investigation is aimed at determining whether the universities in question have failed to protect or support their Jewish students, in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Q: Which universities are being investigated?

A: Northwestern University, Columbia University, Portland State, the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Minnesota.

Q: What is the background on the protests?

A: The protests were sparked by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and calls for divestment from Israel. They were marked by some violence and disruption to campus life.

Q: What is the significance of Title VI?

A: Title VI protects people from discrimination on the basis of race, color and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance — such as universities.

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