Investigations into ethnic discrimination have been initiated by the United States Department of Education at six more colleges. The list includes five institutions on the West Coast and Rutgers University in New Jersey. Alleged violations of Title Six of the Civil Rights Act form the basis of these investigations.
Title Six of the Civil Rights Act prohibits any form of discrimination based on race or national origin. The institutions under investigation have faced criticism over their responses to rising antisemitism on their campuses. In light of the ongoing Department of Education probe, Rutgers University has suspended its Students for Justice in Palestine chapter.
Rutgers University now finds itself under the Department of Education's scrutiny, along with Stanford, UCLA, UC San Diego, Whitman College, and the University of Washington. These investigations are part of a broader effort to address and curb instances of discrimination at educational institutions. The aim is to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all students, irrespective of their race, ethnicity, or national origin.
The Biden administration's decision to open an ethnic discrimination investigation at Rutgers University places it among the latest schools under the Department of Education's microscope. The move comes amidst increasing concerns about the prevalence of discriminatory practices within higher education institutions.