Jerry Gao, Contributing Photographer

On Monday, the Department of Education sent letters to Yale and 59 other universities regarding allegations that they failed to address “antisemitic discrimination and harassment.” 

The DOE’s Office for Civil Rights launched investigations into universities over potential violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color or national origin in federally funded programs. Universities that fail to protect Jewish students on campus could face “potential enforcement actions,” according to the DOE.

“The Department is deeply disappointed that Jewish students studying on elite U.S. campuses continue to fear for their safety amid the relentless antisemitic eruptions that have severely disrupted campus life for more than a year. University leaders must do better,” Secretary of Education Linda McMahon wrote in a press release.

According to the press release, the universities are now being investigated or monitored for discrimination against Jewish students.

When reached by the News for comment, the University spokesperson wrote, “Yale has long been committed to combating antisemitism and strives to ensure that its Jewish community, along with all communities at Yale, are treated with dignity, respect, and compassion. Antisemitism is inconsistent with Yale’s values and principles and has no place in our community.”

The DOE’s recent warning to Yale is not the first time the University faced allegations related to antisemitism. In October, a report released by the House Education Committee alleged that Yale failed to discipline antisemitic incidents connected to campus protests.

The report alleged that University administrators neglected to take disciplinary action against students accused of antisemitic harassment, raising concerns about Yale’s enforcement of its discrimination policies. It listed six instances in which it alleges that Yale “failed to enforce their rules and hold students accountable for antisemitic conduct violations.” 

The DOE’s investigation is the latest in a series of recent actions by the Trump administration targeting universities over allegations of antisemitism linked to campus protests last spring.

Last week, the DOE, alongside the Department of Justice, the Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. General Services Administration, announced the cancellation of $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University, citing the school’s failure to protect Jewish students from discrimination.

On Feb. 3, The Department of Education also launched direct investigations into five universities — though not including Yale — citing President Trump’s Executive Order “Additional Measures to Combat Antisemitism.” 

The Department of Education was founded on Oct. 17, 1979.