Education officials in President Donald Trump’s administration have warned three New Jersey campuses they must do more to protect Jewish students from harassment and discrimination — or face potential federal penalties.
Princeton University, Rutgers University and Rutgers-Newark are among 60 universities and colleges under investigation for potential violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, according to a release from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.
The law prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin, including ancestry or ties to a country with a distinct religious identity.
In letters sent to the institutions Monday, the department said the universities must ensure Jewish students have safe and equal access to education or risk enforcement actions, including losing federal funds.
Rutgers University officials said in a statement Tuesday the school adheres to state and federal law and will continue to strengthen and enforce policies that protect students, faculty and staff.
“Our strong Jewish community is a point of pride for the university,” university officials said. “The Rutgers community stands firmly against discrimination and harassment in all its forms. Any claims of antisemitism are investigated and reviewed, and where appropriate, disciplinary or remedial actions are taken.”
Princeton University officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday.
The notices were sent to all schools receiving federal funds that are under investigation for Title VI violations related to antisemitism. The institutions are part of a list, updated every Tuesday, of universities and schools nationwide being investigated for alleged discrimination, federal education officials said.
“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,” Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a statement. “University leaders must do better.”
“U.S. colleges and universities benefit from enormous public investments funded by U.S. taxpayers. That support is a privilege and it is contingent on scrupulous adherence to federal anti-discrimination laws,” McMahon said.
In January, Rutgers University reached a settlement with the federal Office for Civil Rights after being accused of creating a “hostile environment” for Jewish, Palestinian and other students based on national origin and shared ancestry.
There were more than 400 reports of alleged discrimination, including harassment, that federal education officials reviewed during the Rutgers investigation. Many of these targeted students of Jewish or Israeli descent.
To address the complaints, the university voluntarily agreed to take several actions, including reviewing policies and complaints, issuing a statement and providing training, according to the settlement.
Last April, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights announced that Princeton was under federal investigation for discrimination related to antisemitism.
he investigation followed a complaint filed in January 2024 by a conservative activist, who said the Ivy League school didn’t address antisemitism on campus or take action during pro-Palestinian protests after the Israel-Hamas war.
The federal Department of Education’s warnings follow a Trump administration executive order aimed at combating antisemitism on college campuses.
According to the Office for Civil Rights, resolving reports of antisemitic harassment is now a top priority and enforcement staff are working to clear a backlog of complaints.
Last week, the federal government revoked $400 million in grants and contracts to Columbia University for allegedly failing to protect Jewish students from discrimination.
