The Department of Education is reportedly opening investigations into seven different schools over allegations of antisemitism and Islamophobia. The investigations come weeks after the war between Israel and Hamas began.
The investigations of one K-12 school and six colleges are being done under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, according to CNN. The schools involved will get recommendations from the Department of Education and will have to comply or risk federal funding.
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“Hate has no place in our schools, period. When students are targeted because they are—or are perceived to be—Jewish, Muslim, Arab, Sikh, or any other ethnicity or shared ancestry, schools must act to ensure safe and inclusive educational environments where everyone is free to learn,” Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a statement to the outlet.
The schools involved include Maize Unified School District, Lafayette College, Cornell University, Columbia University, Wellesley College, the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, and the University of Pennsylvania. Five of the schools are being investigated for antisemitism claims, and the other two are being investigated for claims of Islamophobia.
Several of the schools under investigation have faced public criticism for their response to pro-Palestinian protests and statements in regard to the conflict in Israel. The University of Pennsylvania’s response caused several high-profile donors, including former U.S. Ambassador to Russia and China Jon Huntsman and Estee Lauder heir Ron Lauder, to say they will no longer donate to the university.
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Columbia University also received criticism for its handling of some pro-Palestinian groups on campus, eventually suspending two of the groups for allegedly violating university rules for hosting on-campus events.
The Biden administration has discussed plans against antisemitism and Islamophobia in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel and the subsequent war between Israel and Hamas.
