The Department of Education conducted investigations and found that the University of Michigan and the City University of New York failed to adequately investigate whether campus incidents in response to the Israel-Hamas war created a hostile environment for students. The University of Michigan agreed to administer a climate assessment, implement additional training, and revise its policies as necessary. The City University of New York system agreed to reopen or initiate investigations into complaints. Both universities were found to have not adequately investigated if campus protests and incidents created a hostile environment for students, faculty, and staff.
The Office of Civil Rights investigated 75 instances of alleged discrimination and harassment at the University of Michigan related to shared Jewish and Palestinian or Muslim ancestry. The investigation found that the university’s responses did not meet its Title VI requirements to remedy the hostile environment. The University of Michigan agreed to administer a climate assessment, implement additional training, and revise its policies. The resolution also included monitoring by the Office of Civil Rights through the end of the 2026 school year, as well as reporting responses to future incidents of discrimination to the department.
The City University of New York system also agreed to reopen or initiate investigations into discrimination complaints related to shared Jewish, Palestinian, Arab, Muslim, or South Asian ancestry. The resolution included increased training for employees and security officers, a climate survey, and a third-party review of non-discrimination policies. Complaints of antisemitism and Islamophobia have resulted in inquiries at over 100 universities and school districts, leading to investigations into violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Protests over the Israel-Hamas war disrupted the end of the school year at many campuses, with some schools canceling events and classes due to the demonstrations. The Education Department has issued guidance outlining schools’ responsibilities under Title VI, but investigations into alleged discrimination have raised questions about where political speech crosses into harassment. Schools have been challenged to balance free speech rights with student safety and concerns about hate speech on campus.
The Education Department continues to investigate complaints of antisemitism and Islamophobia at colleges and universities across the country. Republicans have denied requests for increased funding for the Office for Civil Rights, leading to a backlog of cases. The average case load per investigator has increased significantly, making it difficult for the agency to keep up with the influx of cases. Most civil rights investigations end with voluntary resolutions where schools promise to address any lingering issues and take steps to protect students from discrimination in the future.
Several college leaders have faced allegations of tolerating antisemitism and Islamophobia, leading to hearings before Congress. Some leaders, including Liz Magill at the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard’s Claudine Gay, have resigned due to accusations of tolerating discrimination on campus. The Education Department continues to investigate cases of discrimination and harassment, with more resolutions expected in the coming weeks. Schools are working to address complaints of hate speech on campus while maintaining a balance between free speech rights and student safety.
