US Dept. of Education launches discrimination investigation into Rutgers University Newark

Rutgers Newark is the latest addition to a list of universities under federal examination after the Israel-Hamas war began in October.

Amanda Lee

Dec 14, 2023, 1:23 AM

Updated 149 days ago

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An investigation is underway into Rutgers University in Newark by the United States Department of Education.
The DOE launched the investigation on Monday. It's the latest university to be listed under the DOE's Open Title VI Shared Ancestry Investigations for discrimination involving shared ancestry.
Students on campus say this comes as a shock because the school is known to be one of the most inclusive in the country.
"We have received notice that an investigation has been opened of the university's response to alleged incidents in October and November of 2023. The notice provides no further details, but we will certainly fully cooperate,” a spokesperson for Rutgers wrote in a statement.
The statement continued, "Rutgers stands against antisemitism and against hate in all its pernicious forms. The university strives to be a safe and supportive environment for all our students, faculty, and staff. We reject absolutely intolerance based on religion, national origin, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability, or political views."
In November, the Biden administration announced a list of Title 6 shared ancestry investigations to address a nationwide rise in reports of antisemitism, anti-Muslim, anti-Arab and other forms of discrimination on college campuses and in schools.
News 12 reached out to the DOE to clarify what prompted this investigation and hasn't gotten a response.
This comes shortly after university officials suspended a pro-Palestinian student group at the New Brunswick campus. There's no word on whether the incidents are related.


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