The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has announced a resolution in its investigation into alleged discrimination at Rutgers University. The inquiry stemmed from complaints about the treatment of students based on their national origin and shared ancestry, affecting four campuses: New Brunswick, Newark, Camden, and Rutgers Biomedical Health Sciences.
OCR’s investigation, which reviewed over 400 reports of discrimination from July 2023 to June 2024, identified significant concerns under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Among these, 293 reports alleged harassment against students with shared Jewish ancestry or Israeli national origin, while 147 detailed discrimination targeting students of Palestinian, Arab, South Asian, or Muslim descent.
Examples of reported incidents included threats of violence, antisemitic vandalism, and protests that left Jewish students feeling unsafe. Similarly, students of Palestinian and Muslim ancestry faced incidents like the removal of pro-Palestinian materials, doxxing, and vandalism targeting cultural centers.
OCR concluded that Rutgers failed to address hostile environments and incidents of harassment effectively, often falling short in its obligation to prevent recurrence or provide remedies. Evidence suggested instances of discriminatory treatment and a lack of timely, effective responses to student complaints.
To address these issues, Rutgers has agreed to comprehensive measures, including revising policies, providing anti-discrimination training for students and staff, and conducting climate assessments. The university will also review past complaints and disciplinary actions for fairness and transparency.
“Rutgers University has committed to resolution terms that will address serious Title VI noncompliance,” Catherine E. Lhamon, OCR’s assistant secretary for civil rights, said in a press release. “OCR looks forward to the change that will come,”
The resolution agreement underscores Rutgers’ obligation to uphold federal civil rights laws and aims to foster a more inclusive campus environment. Full details of the agreement are available on the OCR website.
