The Department of Education is warning 60 colleges and universities currently under federal scrutiny for "antisemitic discrimination and harassment" that they could face consequences if they don't fulfill obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. 

Northwestern University is among the schools the Department of Education alleged to have failed to protect Jewish students from antisemitic harassment. 

This investigation stems from what the Department of Education calls "explosions of antisemitism" on college campuses in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war. The initial report cited Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which protects individuals from discrimination based on national origin and applies to schools and institutions of higher learning that receive federal funding. 

Northwestern University was one of five schools initially under investigation. 

Federal officials say 55 more universities have received complaints. Some of those schools that got the letter from the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights include Northwestern and Illinois Wesleyan University, along with Columbia, Harvard, Yale and UC Berkeley. 

"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 said. 

During campus protests last spring, Palestinian supporters called for an end to the war in Gaza and urged universities to divest from companies with ties to Israel. In response, Northwestern implemented new policies, banning overnight demonstrations, requiring students to remove face coverings, and creating a new intimidation standard. 

Northwestern President Michael Schill testified on Capitol Hill as lawmakers pushed for accountability. 

In his first 100 days in office, President Trump signed an executive order calling for aggressive action against antisemitism on college campuses, even threatening to cancel visas for pro-Palestinian protestors. Meanwhile, this week protests have grown in NYC after Columbia University pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil was arrested. A judge on Monday blocked that student's deportation. 

Northwestern University confirmed receiving the notice and said, "we are fully cooperating with federal investigators as we have with the House Committee on Education and the Workforce over the past year." Northwestern University released the following statement: 

"There is no place for antisemitism or any form of identity-based discrimination or hate at Northwestern University. Free expression and academic freedom are among our core values, but we have made clear that these values provide no excuse for behavior that threatens the well-being of others. 

We are confident in the actions we have taken to address antisemitism on our campus, including updating our Student Code of Conduct, our disciplinary procedures and making investments in public safety. We continue to work tirelessly to make our university a safe and non-discriminatory educational institution."

 Illinois Wesleyan University confirmed receiving the notice on March 10 from Craig Trainor, Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights. The university released the following statement: 

"We have provided all the information that was requested in an Office of Civil Rights (OCR) investigation that began in March 2024. The University is committed to fulfilling its obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and we continue to cooperate in this matter.

We are committed to a campus environment that protects the safety and dignity of all students, faculty and staff, and that is free from harassment, defamation or discrimination of any kind, including discrimination against people of Jewish origin."