High Country Times

In a recent letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra, several Republican leaders from the House Education and the Workforce Committee (E&W) and the House Energy and Commerce Committee (E&C) expressed concerns regarding how HHS ensures that research universities prevent harassment and discrimination, particularly against individuals of Jewish faith and heritage. The letter was signed by E&W Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Subcommittee on Higher Education & Workforce Development Chair Burgess Owens (R-UT), E&C Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), E&C Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY), and E&C Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA). The Chairs emphasized that colleges or universities violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 could lose federal funding.

The investigation aligns with Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-LA) broader effort to address antisemitism on college campuses.

"We are troubled by the fact that colleges and universities that are recipients of massive amounts of Federal research grants from NIH are actively fostering antisemitism on campus and failing to protect Jewish students, faculty, and support staff," the letter stated. "Failing to comply with basic safety protections for members of their communities, no matter the cause, may be grounds for disqualification of universities and colleges from receiving Federal funds. Congress has an obligation to ensure compliance with Title VI. If Congress determines an institution of higher education is in violation, we may consider rescinding research and development funds previously appropriated."

Since April 2024, several prominent universities have experienced antisemitic protests resulting in unsafe environments for students, faculty, and staff. Notable incidents include:

- Columbia University: Protests began on April 17, 2024, leading to vandalism with antisemitic banners and signs supporting Hamas. Despite over 100 arrests, protests escalated to building occupations and physical attacks on Jewish students.

- University of Southern California (USC): Protests led to the cancellation of graduation ceremonies due to safety concerns.

- University of California Los Angeles (UCLA): Protesters blocked campus sections, preventing Jewish students from attending classes.

- George Washington University (GWU): Encampments spread beyond campus onto public streets without immediate action taken.

- Yale University: Dozens were arrested after setting up encampments; parts of Harvard University also closed due to similar issues.

These universities collectively received substantial NIH funding in fiscal year 2023: Columbia ($682 million), USC ($358 million), UCLA ($580 million), GWU ($73 million), Yale ($621 million), Harvard ($400 million).

Several lawsuits have been filed against these institutions alleging civil rights violations. The U.S. Department of Education has initiated investigations into potential civil rights violations at multiple universities.

According to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR), colleges must not discriminate based on race, color, or national origin. Institutions failing to address harassment effectively can face loss of federal funding under Title VI.

HHS’s OCR is tasked with ensuring compliance with Title VI among institutions receiving federal financial assistance.