Today, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) opened a directed investigation into Haverford College (Haverford) for allegedly violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI). This investigation comes amid credible reports that Haverford has failed to respond as required by law to multiple incidents of discrimination and harassment against Jewish and Israeli students on its campus.
“Like many other institutions of higher education, Haverford College is alleged to have ignored anti-Semitic harassment on its campus, contravening federal civil rights law and its own anti-discrimination policies. Jewish students – like all students – deserve to learn and thrive in an environment free from wanton hostility and intentional intimidation,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor. “The Trump Administration will not allow Jewish life to be pushed into the shadows because college leaders are too craven to respond appropriately to unlawful anti-Semitic incidents on campus. The Office for Civil Rights will investigate this matter thoroughly and ensure all students are treated equally under law.”
Background
According to credible reporting, Haverford’s administration did not take adequate action, as required by federal civil rights laws, to address anti-Semitic incidents on campus. Following October 7, Jewish students were targeted by anti-Semitic bullying and harassment, apparently without an institutional response. Senior leadership at Haverford allegedly told Jewish students that they should be “brave” in the face of anti-Semitic harassment, and not expect to be “safe,” and even blamed “the wind” for the vandalism and removal of hostage posters and posters advertising Jewish life events, only acknowledging they were in fact “antisemitic acts” when campus leaders were called to testify before a Congressional hearing focusing on antisemitism at Haverford. During President Raymond’s Congressional testimony, she claimed that there is “no room for discrimination” at Haverford but failed to give a concrete example of an action taken to combat alleged anti-Semitic harassment and abuse on campus.
On January 29, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order titled Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism, stating that it is “the policy of the United States to combat anti-Semitism vigorously, using all available and appropriate legal tools.”
Title VI and its implementing regulations prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in educational programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.