The Department of Education launched an investigation into Northwestern University over allegations of antisemitism.
The school was notified Tuesday of the investigation, which is looking into possible violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, a law that protects people from discrimination based on race and national origin.
According to the school newspaper, the Daily Northwestern, the investigation was instigated by Campus Reform Editor-in-Chief Zachary Marschall, who filed a complaint alleging that the university’s response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israelis was antisemitic. Marschall told the school paper he “submitted the complaint as a journalist deeply concerned about the campus environment for Jewish students.”
Marschall’s complaint cites two events sponsored by the school’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, including a vigil held to honor the lives lost in Gaza and a student walkout in support of Palestinians, claiming both events resulted in harassment.
The complaint added that the school “discriminated against students on the basis of national origin (shared Jewish ancestry) by failing to respond appropriately to incidents of harassment in October, November, and December,” according to the Department of Education.
University spokesman Jon Yates said the school would cooperate with federal investigators.
“Northwestern is committed to providing a safe, welcoming environment for everyone in our community,” Yates said in a statement.
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“Northwestern does not tolerate antisemitism or discriminatory acts directed at any individual based upon their race, religion, national origin or other protected categories,” he continued.
Numerous other schools are being investigated by the Department of Education over antisemitism allegations, including Ohio State University, Yale University, and University of Minnesota Twin Cities.