Indiana University Bloomington could be at risk of losing federal funding over its response to antisemitism on campus, the Department of Education stated, as reported by the Herald Times. Recently, the Trump administration announced the immediate withdrawal of $400 million in federal funding from Columbia University, citing its failure to combat antisemitism on campus. A joint statement from four federal agencies accused Columbia of “continued inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students,” according to the BBC.
Indiana University Bloomington is among 60 schools currently under investigation by the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) for potential Title VI violations related to “antisemitic harassment and discrimination.”
According to The Herald-Times, Indiana University has faced criticism from pro-Israel, pro-Palestine, and pro-free speech groups over its handling of campus protests, particularly regarding last April’s police response to an encampment in Dunn Meadow. In February, the DOE opened an investigation into IU Bloomington following a December 2023 complaint by Campus Reform, a conservative activist site, concerning the university’s response to antisemitism.
DoE’s letter to 60 universities
On Monday, the OCR sent letters to 60 universities under investigation, warning them of possible consequences for failing to adequately protect Jewish students. Among the recipients were six Ivy League institutions, including Columbia and Harvard.
This development comes amid mounting pressure on universities to regulate pro-Palestinian demonstrations, which have led to numerous arrests over the past year. The current administration has prioritized cracking down on perceived anti-Israel and antisemitic activities on campuses. An executive order addressing antisemitism in educational institutions was signed early in the term, followed by the establishment of a multi-agency task force on February 3.
What Happened at Columbia University
Recently, Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and a prominent leader of Columbia’s pro-Palestinian protests, was detained by federal immigration officials under a State Department order revoking his green card, according to his legal representative.
Khalil was also under investigation by a university committee reviewing several students involved in pro-Palestinian activism, as reported by The Associated Press.
Following Khalil’s arrest, Trump posted on Truth Social, calling it “the first arrest of many to come” as part of a broader effort to target foreign students engaged in what he termed “illegal protests” over Gaza.
These developments highlight the growing tensions on university campuses as institutions navigate the complex landscape of free speech, student safety, and federal regulations. With ongoing investigations and policy changes, the response of these universities in the coming months could shape the broader national debate on campus activism and antisemitism.
