In response to the alarming nationwide rise in reports of discrimination, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights has announced that six more schools are under investigation. The newly released list includes Tulane University in Louisiana, Union College in New York, Cobb County School District in Georgia, University of Cincinnati in Ohio, Santa Monica College in California, and Montana State University in Montana.

These investigations are part of the Biden administration's efforts to address the increasing incidents of antisemitism, anti-Muslim, anti-Arab, and other forms of discrimination on college and K-12 school campuses since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7.

The Department of Education has not disclosed the specific allegations against each school, but at least three have released statements addressing the incidents. Cobb County School District in Georgia explained that they are being investigated for a reported "anti-Muslim incident." The district spokesperson emphasized their commitment to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all students.

Tulane University, on the other hand, clarified that the incident under investigation took place at a rally organized by an unrecognized group, which occurred on public property adjacent to the campus. The university condemned the assaults on their students and a police officer, revealing that three individuals, unrelated to the institution, were arrested on various charges, including hate crimes.

Union College revealed that they are being investigated over a claim of discrimination towards Jewish students. The college expressed confidence in their response to reported incidents and remained steadfast in their commitment to upholding policies against discrimination based on various protected statuses.

The University of Cincinnati, Santa Monica College, and Montana State University have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding their respective investigations.

These six schools join the ranks of at least nine others currently under investigation concerning Title VI, a law that prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in institutions or programs that receive federal funding from the U.S. Department of Education.

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona stated in a previous interview that more investigations are likely as incidents of discrimination continue to emerge across the country. The Department of Education is determined to address these concerns and ensure that campuses provide a safe and inclusive environment for all students, free from harassment and discrimination.

As the investigations proceed, the schools involved will be expected to cooperate fully with the OCR and provide information about the incidents under scrutiny. The outcome of these investigations will further shed light on the efforts needed to combat discrimination in educational institutions and reinforce the importance of a diverse and respectful learning environment.