Education department finds CUNY and University of Michigan failed to adequately address antisemitism

The United States Department of Education (DOE) criticized two universities on Monday for failing to meet federal standards when responding to antisemitism and anti-Palestinian issues on their campuses.

The DOE's report comes after anti-Israel protests broke out at more than 100 college campuses nationwide during the 2023-2024 academic year, resulting in thousands of arrests. The students and protesters were demonstrating in support of Palestine, amid Israel's war with Hamas.

The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) looked at 75 complaints against the University of Michigan, which included antisemitic attacks from as far back as 2022-2023 school year. It also included reports as recent as February.

“OCR found no evidence that the university complied with its Title VI requirements to assess whether incidents individually or cumulatively created a hostile environment for students, faculty, or staff, and if so, to take steps reasonably calculated to end the hostile environment, remedy its effects, and prevent its recurrence," the office said, according to The Hill. 

The university said it would review the complaints to ensure a just resolution, report new incidents that arise from the 2024-2025 and the 2025-2026 school years, and update its trainings and policies related to Title VI, in response to the report.

OCR also found that the City University of New York (CUNY) also failed to adequately respond to reports of antisemitism and anti-Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim events on its campus. The university said it would reopen relevant cases, update its trainings and policies on Title VI, and produce a campus climate survey.

“Hate has no place on our college campuses—ever. Sadly, we have witnessed a series of deeply concerning incidents in recent months," Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a statement, "The recent commitments made by the University of Michigan and CUNY mark a positive step forward. The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights continues to hold schools accountable for compliance with civil rights standards."

The secretary said he would continue to work with schools across the country to address the recent rise in antisemitism, including responses to the pro-Palestine protests held earlier this year. 

If schools do not adequately respond to hate incidents on their campuses, the OCR is allowed to withhold federal money. But most schools end up agreeing to meet certain criteria.