The US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights sent warning letters on March 10, 2025, to 60 universities currently under investigation for antisemitic discrimination and harassment. The letters warn of potential enforcement actions if these institutions fail to protect Jewish students under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which mandates uninterrupted access to campus facilities and educational opportunities.
The letters target all US universities presently being investigated for Title VI violations related to antisemitic harassment and discrimination. These institutions include prestigious universities like Harvard, Yale, Columbia, and Stanford, along with numerous state universities and private colleges across the country.
List of universities that have served
“The Department is deeply disappointed that 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,” said Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “US colleges and universities benefit from enormous public investments funded by US taxpayers. That support is a privilege and it is contingent on scrupulous adherence to federal antidiscrimination laws.”
The Department’s OCR issued these letters under its authority to enforce Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, and national origin in institutions receiving federal funds. National origin protection extends to shared Jewish ancestry.
The investigation spans various types of institutions, from large public universities like the University of California Berkeley and University of Michigan to smaller private colleges such as Swarthmore College and Wellesley College.
Last week, the Department, along with the Joint Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, canceled $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University due to their alleged failure to protect Jewish students from discrimination.
The Department has also prioritized resolving previously unaddressed complaints of antisemitic violence and harassment, many of which remained unresolved during the previous administration.
The actions follow President Trump’s Executive Order “Additional Measures to Combat Antisemitism,” which led to directed investigations into five universities where widespread antisemitic harassment was reported. The remaining 55 universities are under investigation or monitoring based on complaints filed with OCR.
The complete list of institutions includes 60 universities across the United States, ranging from American University to Yale University, encompassing both public and private institutions in various states and regions.
Partner agencies in these efforts include the Department of Justice, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the US General Services Administration, working together as part of the Joint Task Force to Combat Antisemitism.
These investigations aim to ensure that Jewish students have equal access to educational opportunities and can pursue their studies without fear of discrimination or harassment on campus.
