The Department of Education has initiated investigations into seven institutions, including Cornell University, Columbia University, and the University of Pennsylvania, following complaints regarding alleged incidents of antisemitism and Islamophobia. These investigations, involving five cases of antisemitism and two cases of Islamophobia, mark the first such inquiries by the Department of Education since the October 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel.
The schools, notified of the investigations in the past 24 hours, comprise the K-12 Maize Unified School District in Kansas and six colleges: Lafayette College in Pennsylvania, Cornell University in New York, Columbia University in New York, Wellesley College in Massachusetts, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York, and the University of Pennsylvania. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona stated to CNN on Friday that he expects additional investigations to follow.
A list of K-12 schools and colleges under investigation for possible discrimination based on shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics is now posted on the Department of Education’s website and will be updated weekly. The Department of Education
Upon completion of the investigations, the Department of Education will provide recommendations to the schools involved. Non-compliance with these recommendations may result in the schools risking the loss of federal funding.
Education Secretary Miguel Cardona emphasized the consequences, stating, “If an institution refuses to follow the law to protect students, we would withhold dollars.” The investigations are being conducted under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which mandates that universities and K-12 schools must ensure an environment free from discrimination for all students. Under Title VI, any individual can file a complaint with the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights.