Education Department launches new probes of Stanford and 5 other schools over alleged discrimination

The U.S. Department of Education on Tuesday announced investigations into Stanford University, UCLA and four other colleges over alleged ethnic discrimination, including antisemitic or Islamophobic activities, on the campuses.

The remaining schools under new scrutiny for alleged violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act include Rutgers University; the University of California, San Diego; the University of Washington and Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington.

Title VI prohibits discrimination based on race or national origin, including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics, the department said.

Details on what led to the investigations were not clear. A spokesperson for the Education Department said Tuesday the agency can’t comment on specific investigations.

Stanford said the university will work with federal investigators.

“Stanford is fully committed to a campus environment free of discrimination and harassment, and one in which students of all backgrounds, national origins, and religions are supported and have the opportunity to thrive,” the school said in a statement.

Rutgers also plans to “fully cooperate” with the federal investigation.

“Rutgers stands against antisemitism and against hate in all its pernicious forms,” it said in a statement. “The university strives to be a safe and supportive environment for all our students, faculty, and staff. We reject absolutely intolerance based on religion, national origin, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability, or political views.”

The other schools had not yet responded to a request for a comment.

The Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights launched similar investigations in November into more than a half-dozen colleges, universities and a local school district.

The schools include Harvard University, Cornell University, Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania, Lafayette College, Wellesley College, the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art and the Maize Unified School District in Kansas.

Last month, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona told NBC News the priorities in the investigations are protecting students on campus, protecting free speech on campus and the transparency of the inquiries.

Since Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, numerous incidents have been reported at U.S. schools, with some resulting in arrests.

On Tuesday, Rutgers-New Brunswick said it had suspended organization activity for Students for Justice in Palestine, according to a statement obtained by NBC New York.

The student group was notified Monday of the “interim suspension” based on multiple complaints that accuse the group of disrupting classes, a program, meals and students studying.

The group also is accused of vandalism at the Rutgers Business School during an event. The alleged behavior violates the University Code of Student Conduct, the school said.