Sac State, UC Davis two of 60 universities under investigation by Dept. of Education for alleged antisemitic discrimination, harassment
Five universities were highlighted for what the department said, "where widespread antisemitic harassment has been reported."
The U.S. Department of Education announced that 60 universities, including Sacramento State and the University of California-Davis, received a letter from the department's Office of Civil Rights informing them they are being investigated for antisemitic discrimination and harassment.
Yesterday's press release 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 Department is 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,” newly appointed Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in the announcement. “U.S. colleges and universities benefit from enormous public investments funded by U.S. taxpayers. That support is a privilege and it is contingent on scrupulous adherence to federal antidiscrimination laws.”
While the letter was sent to 60 institutions, five universities were highlighted for what the department said "where widespread antisemitic harassment has been reported." Those institutions include Columbia University, Northwestern University, Portland State University, the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.
Interestingly, the press release noted that the Department of Education canceled $400 million in grants to Columbia University. The statement provided a link to a Fox News story on the cancellation.
In a separate action taken on Sunday, ICE arrested and started deportation proceedings against Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate active in on-campus demonstrations. The Trump administration alleged Khalil “led activities aligned to Hamas.”
Last night, a U.S. judge in New York temporarily halted the deportation proceedings. A hearing will be held on Wednesday.
Groups like the American Civil Liberties Union condemned Khalil’s detention as “unprecedented, illegal, and un-American – a targeted attack on his First Amendment rights.”
The local reaction on the Sacramento sub Reddit to the investigation was mainly negative toward the Trump administration. The comment below by someone who described themselves as being of the Jewish faith was common.
"So an administration with *actual* antisemites in it wants to protect us Jews from college protests that were/are largely *not* antisemitic. I’m so tired of my people being used as political pawns by groups that have no actual interest in our well-being or safety."
As of this posting, UC Davis and Sacramento State administrators have not issued statements on the investigations.
Photo by Omar Ramadan via Pexels.
