University of Tennessee on federal list of schools facing antisemitism claims
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The University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Photo: Wesley Hitt/Getty Images
Tennessee's flagship university is one of 60 colleges the U.S. Department of Education is investigating for potential civil rights violations related to "antisemitic harassment and discrimination."
Why it matters: The University of Tennessee in Knoxville was named alongside Ivy League institutions and high-profile public and private universities.
- The department said on Monday that universities on the list risked "potential enforcement actions" if they did not comply with federal rules.
Between the lines: The scrutiny comes a week after President Trump threatened withholding federal funds from some schools.
- Trump has said funds will be pulled from colleges he accused of allowing "illegal protests" on campus.
- His statement was widely interpreted as a reference to nationwide protests over Israel's handling of the war in Gaza.
Yes, but: A spokesperson told the Knoxville News Sentinel the UT investigation stemmed from a 2023 student complaint "based on an unrelated set of events."
Zoom in: The UT spokesperson said the 2023 complaint was tied to things a student "witnessed and/or heard about."
- "The student engaged with a variety of university offices in 2023, and the offices worked to support the student," the spokesperson said. "The university takes its responsibility to maintain an environment free of illegal discrimination very seriously."
- The education department reached out to UT about the complaint last year.
What's next: The Education Department sent the universities warning letters Monday, saying they must fulfill their obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act to protect Jewish students.