DOJ Finds University in Violation of Title VI
The U.S. Department of Justice has found George Washington University in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act for failing to adequately address antisemitic harassment. The DOJ cited the university's insufficient response to discrimination against Jewish and Israeli students. This action highlights expanding federal scrutiny on universities to enforce all civil rights and inclusion policies effectively, beyond just digital accessibility.
- The finding stems from the university's response to a pro-Palestinian encampment in April 2024, during which the DOJ alleges numerous incidents of Jewish students being harassed, intimidated, and assaulted. - In a letter to University President Ellen Granberg, the Justice Department stated its investigation found GWU was "deliberately indifferent to the hostile educational environment for Jewish, American-Israeli, and Israeli students and faculty." - This federal action is part of a wider crackdown on alleged antisemitism on college campuses by the Trump administration, which has warned at least 60 universities about potential violations of federal civil rights laws. - Prior to the DOJ's finding, a group of anonymous students and an alumna sued the university in May 2025 for failing to adequately respond to antisemitism on campus. - The university was given a deadline of August 22, 2025, to enter into a voluntary resolution agreement to avoid potential punitive measures. - This is the second federal probe into GWU, which is also facing a DOJ compliance review concerning Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in its admissions practices. - In a separate but related matter, the university entered into a voluntary resolution agreement with the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights in January 2025 to resolve two complaints from 2023, one alleging anti-Palestinian discrimination and another alleging antisemitism. - Other universities have faced similar federal actions; Columbia University agreed to a $200 million settlement, and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) had $584 million in federal funding suspended over related allegations.
