On October 30, 2023, the federal government announced new actions to address antisemitism on college campuses. The White House, Department of Education (DOE), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plan to issue formal guidelines. Here is what we know and encourage you to learn more about:
- The Office of Civil Rights (OCR) will be updating its discrimination complaint form to include language stating that Title VI of the Civil Rights Act prohibits antisemitism and Islamophobia, and related forms of discrimination, and will expedite investigations and complaints. The DOE is also planning to hold technical assistance webinars to provide students with information on how to file an OCR complaint.
- On November 7, 2023, OCR issued the Dear Colleague Letter: Discrimination, including Harassment, based on Shared Ancestry or Ethnic Characteristics outlining these obligations under Title VI.
- The DOJ and DHS are dedicating 125 protective security advisers and 100 cybersecurity advisers to proactively work with schools and universities to address their needs for cyber threats and online harassment. The Justice Department’s Community Relations Service is also expanding support of Jewish, Muslim, Arab, and other impacted communities on campuses across the nation.
- The United States Senate passed a bipartisan resolution by unanimous consent denouncing antisemitism at institutions of higher education and encourages college and university leaders and administrators to voice their opposition to antisemitism on campus, which we have done on multiple occasions.
- On November 7, 2023, OCR issued the Dear Colleague Letter: Discrimination, including Harassment, based on Shared Ancestry or Ethnic Characteristics.