The University of Minnesota is among five colleges under investigation by Donald Trump’s Department of Education over allegations of antisemitism, according to the Education Department’s Monday press release.
The University and the four other colleges — Northwestern University, Columbia University, Portland State University and University of California, Berkeley — are facing Title IX investigations from the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights. The investigations stem from allegations that these colleges have tolerated antisemitism on their campuses since Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
“Today, the Department is putting universities, colleges, and K-12 schools on notice: this administration will not tolerate continued institutional indifference to the wellbeing of Jewish students on American campuses,” Craig Trainor, the agency’s acting assistant secretary for civil rights, said in the statement.
The order also calls for an investigation into all antisemitism complaints, both pending and resolved, since Oct. 7, 2023.
The office has not released why they decided on these five colleges.
The University of Minnesota has seen several pro-Palestine Protests since Oct. 2023. These protests include one where several members of UMN Students for a Democratic Society were arrested after they barricaded themselves inside Morrill Hall.
This is not the first time Trump has taken aim at antisemitism on college campuses. On Wednesday, Trump promised to prosecute antisemitic students and revoke the visas of international students who were “Hamas sympathizers.”
Trump’s Department of Education has already made substantial changes to higher education in his first few weeks in office. Among the notable changes was ordering public institutions like the University of Minnesota to roll back their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs.
The University stands by its handling of antisemitism on campus and is actively reviewing the details of the investigation, according to a University statement sent to the Minnesota Daily.
“We are confident in our approach to combating hate and bias on our campus and will fully cooperate with this investigation. The University continues to stand firmly against antisemitism,” the University statement said. “We have and will continue to respond promptly and fully to any reports of harassment, intimidation, or bias against Jewish students — or any other members of our University community — in accordance with our University values, our own policies, and our responsibility under the law.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Susan S. Pastin
Feb 4, 2025 at 9:33 pm
I am Jewish, worked on the Minnesota daily, and graduated from the J school in 1968.
I support Israel and consider myself a Zionist in that I believe Jews have a right to a homeland. But I also believe Palestinians have a right to a homeland!
And I am frankly ashamed – but not surprised – at Netanyahu’s attempts to bulldoze and ethically cleanse Gaza!
I consider that Netanyahu to be Israel’s equivalent of Trump – A barbaric, narcissistic sociopath, who believes might makes right!
I really don’t think the right, including Seig Heil Elan Musk, care about Jews. In fact, the right wing has always included a good share of anti-Semites, Including conspiracy theorists Who delight in blaming Jews.
I think the Trump Regime’s planned investigations of universities is a mixture of their innate anti-intellectualism, and an another of their divide and conquer tactics.
Sophia
Feb 4, 2025 at 3:02 pm
My guess as to why the U is on this list? Michael Hsu (former Regent) and Richard Painter (current law professor) filed a complaint to the Dept of Ed back in December of 2023. The call is literally coming from inside the house.
See the Daily article about this, published 01/17/24.
KJ
Feb 4, 2025 at 2:52 pm
I can tell you exactly why Trump’s DOE chose to investigate these particular schools … because each one of them is located in a blue state that voted against him in the 2024 presidential election.
Being pro-Palestine and advocating against the bombing and starvation of Palestinian people does not equate to being anti-Semitic. The state of Israel and its government are distinct from the Jewish people and their faith. However, when individuals criticize or condemn the actions of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) for their treatment of Palestinians, they are often unjustly labeled as anti-Semites. While it’s undeniable that there are anti-Semites within the pro-Palestine movement, just as there are anti-Muslim sentiments in the pro-Israel movement, we must be cautious not to generalize. People should not be accused of hatred toward an entire group simply because they support one cause over another.
Free Palestine
Feb 4, 2025 at 1:19 pm
What Anti-Semitism? Telling Israel that it’s not OK to bomb hospitals, bomb schools, bomb universities, and starve an entire population of 2.3 million Gazans and commit genocide against them isn’t anti-Semitism you donuts! If that’s anti-Semitism then consider me a proud Anti-Semite as well as every other decent human being with a conscience who isn’t a sociopath who’s condemning Israel’s barbarism and genocidal madness.
And to the snowflakes above crying about how triggered they are watching people carry a Palestinian flag at the CLA graduation, you need some serious therapy and heavy medications because being this triggered over a flag is just insanity. People in Gaza are having their heads blown up, missing their limbs, being starved to death, but poor miss triggered snowflakes seeing a flag and people protesting that they think genocide is wrong
From the River to the Sea Palestine will be free.
Cry more snowflakes ❄️
Emery
Feb 4, 2025 at 12:01 pm
I’ve heard conflicting information about whether the Trump Administration planned to allow for ongoing civil rights investigations (and that they had issued stop work orders regarding pending investigations) and whether the Department of Education will continue to operate as a Cabinet-level department. If the agency performs essential law enforcement and investigative work, why eliminate it? Alternatively, if control of educational policy is better handled by states, why target institutions in five different states with a single inquiry?
Paul Shambroom
Feb 4, 2025 at 11:08 am
Yes, antisemitism is a scourge and probably is a factor for a small number of people protesting for Palestinian rights and peace. There is much more to this story than is being reported. Many of these efforts to address antisemitism on campus are, in actuality, attempts to suppress free speech and legitimate criticism of actions of the Israeli government, and US support for those actions.
LostonCampus
Feb 4, 2025 at 10:59 am
Good!!! I attended a CLA graduation last year that was the most disgraceful thing I have ever seen. 1000’s of people CHANTING From the River to the Sea!! And the CLA DEAN stood there like an idiot ALLOWING them to continue to parade the palestine flag around. Shameful.
TA
Feb 4, 2025 at 9:00 am
Good. Finally some accountability.
brokentrust
Feb 4, 2025 at 8:59 am
After the click bait articles from yesterday, one from this same reporter, the Daily is not to be trusted. Whoever is charge over there at the Hubbard School of “Journalism” might want to check on the student reporters as the two articles published here yesterday were inaccurate and seemed intentionally scare-mongering. Congrats, Daily, you frightened your fellow students and community with your thirsty work. Why, besides a high view count, would anyone do that??