As of March 11, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has launched investigations into 60 universities across the United States over allegations of antisemitic discrimination and harassment, pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
This federal law prohibits discrimination based on race, color, and national origin—including shared ancestry, such as Jewish heritage—at institutions receiving federal funding. The investigations are part of a broader effort under the Trump administration to address reported increases in antisemitic incidents on college campuses, particularly following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent Israel-Gaza conflict.
On March 10, 2025, the OCR sent letters to 60 institutions, including high-profile universities like Harvard, Columbia, Brown, and the University of Michigan, warning them of potential enforcement actions if they fail to protect Jewish students from discrimination and harassment. This follows earlier announcements of proactive investigations into five schools (Columbia, Northwestern, UC Berkeley, Portland State, and the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities) on February 2, 2025, and builds on prior complaint-driven probes.
The list of 60 universities comprises both those under active investigation and others being monitored based on complaints filed with OCR. The exact list of all 60 institutions has not been fully detailed in public statements, but it includes a mix of Ivy League schools, public universities, and other prominent institutions.
On March 7, 2025, the Departments of Justice (DOJ), Education (ED), Health and Human Services (HHS), and the General Services Administration (GSA) jointly announced the immediate cancellation of approximately $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University. This action was taken due to what the administration described as Columbia’s “continued inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students.” The cuts represent a significant portion of Columbia’s more than $5 billion in federal grant commitments, much of which supports healthcare and scientific research.
The decision followed a rapid review by the Federal Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, formed in early February 2025, which had notified Columbia on March 3, 2025, of a comprehensive review of its federal funding. The administration cited ongoing chaos and antisemitic incidents on and near campus, including protests linked to the Israel-Gaza war, as justification. Columbia has not responded to the Task Force’s requests for information, according to official statements.
The March 10 letters from OCR emphasize that universities must comply with federal anti-discrimination laws to maintain eligibility for federal funding. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon has underscored that the administration will not tolerate institutions ignoring their obligations to protect Jewish students, stating, “Since October 7, Jewish students have faced relentless violence, intimidation, and antisemitic harassment on their campuses—only to be ignored by those who are supposed to protect them.”
The Task Force, led by Leo Terrell of the DOJ, has signaled that Columbia’s funding cuts are “only the beginning,” with potential further cancellations under consideration as reviews continue. Other universities, such as Harvard, Johns Hopkins, NYU, and Northwestern, are also slated for scrutiny, with the Task Force planning visits to 10 campuses identified as hotspots for antisemitic incidents.
Columbia University has pledged to work with the federal government to restore its funding, with a spokesperson stating, “We take Columbia’s legal obligations seriously and are committed to combating antisemitism and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff.” However, the university faces criticism from both sides: Jewish student groups like Columbia/Barnard Hillel see the cuts as a necessary wake-up call, while civil liberties advocates, such as the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), argue that the move is an unconstitutional overreach aimed at punishing protected political speech, particularly pro-Palestinian advocacy.
Legal experts anticipate challenges to the funding cuts, noting that the rapid timeline—mere days from review announcement to cancellation—deviates from the typical months-long investigative process under Title VI. Critics argue that the lack of transparency regarding specific evidence and affected grants could undermine the administration’s legal standing.
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