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Rutgers U Reaches Agreement with Dept of Education Over Nearly 300 Allegations of Anti-Semitism
Edited by: Fern Sidman
In a significant development addressing rising concerns over anti-Semitism on college campuses, the U.S. Department of Education announced on Tuesday that it had resolved three separate complaints under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act involving Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. According to a report onThe Jewish News Syndicate (JNS) website, the investigation examined nearly 440 allegations of discrimination, with the majority—293 complaints—centered on anti-Semitism and anti-Zionist harassment targeting students of Jewish ancestry and/or Israeli national origin.
The federal investigation revealed troubling patterns of behavior and institutional failures at Rutgers. According to JNS, evidence provided by the university indicated that it had likely “operated a hostile environment based on national origin/shared ancestry in university programs or activities without redress as required under Title VI.”
Additionally, the Department of Education determined that Rutgers subjected some students to discriminatory different treatment based on their shared ancestry, specifically Jewish identity, and Israeli national origin.
This revelation underscores long-standing concerns raised by Jewish advocacy organizations about the campus climate at Rutgers, particularly in the wake of increased tensions following the October 7 Hamas massacre in Israel.
As reported by JNS, the Department of Education reviewed 440 separate reports of alleged discrimination. Among them are 293 reports focused on harassment and discrimination against Jewish students, including allegations of vandalism, doxxing, and anti-Zionist intimidation. 147 reports involved allegations of discrimination against individuals of Palestinian, Arab, South Asian, and/or Muslim ancestry.
Rutgers Professor Michael Chikindas posts Hitler-style caricatures of Jews.
The faculty union, headed by @ProfTWolf, defended him and now he is still allowed to be in the classroom and discriminate against Jewish students. pic.twitter.com/UiRgaXZq05
— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) December 28, 2024
The findings point to a deeply fractured campus environment where students from multiple backgrounds have faced targeted harassment and discrimination.
In response to the resolution, Rabbi David Levy, New Jersey Director of the American Jewish Committee (AJC), emphasized the gravity of the findings. As quoted by JNS, Levy stated: “By entering into this agreement, Rutgers has acknowledged Jewish students have faced a hostile learning environment across its campuses both before and since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas massacre in Israel.”
This is not Gaza, this is New Jersey, 2024.
Three masked members of the “Students for Justice in Palestine” branch at Rutgers University made a public statement after the branch’s month-long suspension was lifted.
Among other things, they demanded that the university… pic.twitter.com/3SMk3GRQ4t
— Olia (@OliaOnX) January 18, 2024
He further described the nearly 300 documented complaints of anti-Semitism and anti-Zionist harassment as “abhorrent and unacceptable.” Levy called on Rutgers to demonstrate an “unequivocal commitment to meaningful reform” while also respecting academic freedom and the right to peaceful protest and assembly.
According to the JNS report, the agreement between Rutgers University and the Department of Education includes a series of concrete measures aimed at addressing the hostile environment and preventing future incidents. These measures include a policy review in which Rutgers must review its Title VI enforcement policies to ensure they align with federal anti-discrimination requirements.
The university is required to review the complaints from the past and current academic years to determine if additional responses are necessary. Rutgers must also review and report on relevant disciplinary actions taken in the previous academic year in response to bias-related incidents. University staff, including campus police and bias-response teams, must undergo specialized training on handling discrimination complaints effectively.
Breaking: Last night Rutgers SJP staged a protest outside of the Chabad House on campus, chanting “globalize the intifada.”
Rutgers SJP is currently on their second suspension and not allowed to hold rallies. Will Rutgers grow a spine and take action? pic.twitter.com/XvJ7erVtDE
— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) October 9, 2024
The Biden administration has mandated listening sessions between Rutgers administrators and representatives of “relevant affinity groups” to foster open dialogue and address grievances. Rutgers is also tasked with developing and implementing a climate assessment survey for students and employees to gauge the campus atmosphere concerning national origin and shared ancestry discrimination.
Catherine Lhamon, Assistant U.S. Secretary for Civil Rights at the Department of Education, expressed optimism about the changes the agreement would bring. As was reported by JNS, Lhamon said: “We look forward to the change that will come for Rutgers University as a result of this agreement and to ongoing work with the university to ensure its compliance.”
The federal oversight will continue to monitor Rutgers’ implementation of the agreed-upon measures to ensure compliance and accountability.
The Rutgers investigation comes amid broader concerns about rising antisemitism and campus hostility across the United States, particularly in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas massacre in Israel and subsequent regional tensions.
According to the information provided in the JNS report, this resolution serves as a landmark case in the Biden administration’s broader strategy to address antisemitism and other forms of discrimination in higher education.
For Jewish students and other affected communities, this agreement offers hope that Rutgers—and other universities—will take the necessary steps to ensure campuses are places of learning, tolerance, and respect for all students, regardless of their ancestry or national origin.
