Universities across the country face scrutiny over antisemitic harassment and failure to protect Jewish students under Title VI.
On Monday, 60 colleges and universities received warnings from the Trump administration about penalties from pending investigations into antisemitism on college campuses.
Columbia University recently lost $400 million in funding due to its failure to protect Jewish students, and saw a student arrested by Homeland Security agents for his role in pro-Hamas demonstrations on campus.
Education department officials said the letter sent to the 60 colleges and universities warned “them of potential enforcement actions if they do not fulfill their obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act to protect Jewish students on campus, including uninterrupted access to campus facilities and educational opportunities.”
The universities are under investigation for civil rights violations, antisemitic harassment, and discrimination.
Temple, Drexel, Swarthmore, Lehigh, Lafayette, and Muhlenberg are Pennsylvania colleges that made the list.
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said the department was “deeply disappointed that Jewish students studying on elite U.S. 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.”
The University of Pennsylvania was under investigation for antisemitism, but the case was dropped in January because a case making similar allegations is proceeding in federal court.
The Trump administration is placing mounting pressure on universities to control pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campuses.
Following Columbia’s lead, universities across the nation saw an uptick in antisemitism, protests, and encampments by demonstrators.
During Trump’s second week in office, he issued an executive order to “combat antisemitism”. In February, he announced the creation of a multi-agency task force to carry out the order.
McMahon said, “Are these students who are going to be looking to participate in riots? Are there outside agitators that come on campus? This is not a freedom of speech issue. This is a safety and civil rights issue.”
