The department began the probe in November regarding student protection and free speech.
The U.S. Department of Education is investigating the rise of harassment and discrimination on college campuses since Hamas attacked Israel in October. The probe over antisemitism and Islamaphobia, which began in November, was expanded last month. The department’s Office for Civil Rights list of universities expanded to include Stanford, UCLA, Rutgers, University of Washington, University of California, San Diego, and Whitman College.
Harvard, Cornell, Columbia, Wellesley, and the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art were some of the schools that originally came under investigation. The Maize Unified School District in Kansas is also being investigated.
The Education Department is concerned with possible violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Schools that are not in compliance may lose federal funding and could be referred to the Justice Department. Education Secretary Cardona stated when the investigation initially launched “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.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Secretary Cardona to be directed by God as he oversees investigations into harassment based on ancestry.
- For Assistant Secretary Catherine Lhamon as she leads the Education Department’s Office of Civil Rights.
- For the safety of students from harassment in both universities and at K-12 schools.
Sources: CNBC, The Hill
