University of Michigan and City University of New York Mishandled Discrimination Complaints

Following widespread protests over the war in Gaza, the Education Department has announced that the University of Michigan and the City University of New York mishandled discrimination complaints on their campuses. The department’s Office for Civil Rights is conducting numerous investigations into cases of antisemitism and anti-Arab discrimination, triggered by student rallies and encampments in support of Palestinians and calls for divestment from Israel.

The investigations of the Michigan and New York cases are just the beginning, with more expected to conclude in the coming weeks and months. This reflects the ongoing struggle of schools to balance free speech and academic settings. Under the announced agreements, the schools are required to improve their reporting of complaints to the Office for Civil Rights and enhance the training of their employees, including campus police officers, on their obligations under federal law.