In a significant move, the U.S. Education Department has reached resolution agreements with the University of Michigan and the City University of New York (CUNY) over allegations of inadequate protection for Jewish and Muslim students during the aftermath of the Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza. The federal investigations found instances of harassment, discrimination, and hostile language directed towards these students.

Both universities, along with several affiliated colleges, have agreed to take various actions to address the federal investigations into student complaints related to the Middle East conflict. These actions include conducting training sessions, reexamining past cases, and implementing measures to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all students.

Reports have emerged of incidents such as disrupted classes, vandalism, and hostile language on campuses. Incidents discussed in the investigations included antisemitic comments made during protests, classes, and online platforms. One disturbing incident at the University of Michigan involved protesters shouting "Nazi liberation" during an event on the central campus. The investigation revealed that the university failed to respond adequately to this event.

The Office for Civil Rights at the Education Department conducted an investigation into the University of Michigan and found that the institution had virtually ignored investigations into 75 reports of harassment and discrimination since the 2022-23 school year. The investigation also revealed a lack of evidence that the university complied with legal requirements under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on shared ancestry, including against Jewish and Muslim students.

The struggle to strike a balance between free speech rights and preventing harassment is evident in the investigations. The Office for Civil Rights highlighted instances where the university's responses were deemed insufficient. In one case, a Jewish student reported being targeted and harassed on social media after viewing a graduate-student instructor's post regarding pro-Palestinian topics. The university declined to intervene, citing social media as protected free speech, a response seen as inadequate by the investigators.

At the City University of New York and its affiliated colleges, nine pending complaints from both Jewish and Muslim students were addressed in the resolution agreement. An investigation uncovered an incident at Hunter College where Jewish students were told not to speak during a college course discussion on the decolonization of Palestine, leading to an inadequate response from the university.

The resolution agreements require both the University of Michigan and CUNY to review and reopen previous complaints, report the results to the federal government, provide training on responding to alleged discrimination, and conduct climate surveys to assess the extent of discrimination and harassment based on race, color, or national origin, including shared ancestry.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona emphasized the importance of creating campuses free from hate, stating, "Hate has no place on our college campuses - ever." While these resolutions are seen as positive steps forward, Cardona expressed concern over the rise in incidents in recent months and highlighted the ongoing investigations into similar cases at universities and K-12 school districts.

CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez expressed gratitude for the collaboration with the Office for Civil Rights and emphasized the commitment to providing a discrimination-free environment on CUNY campuses. University of Michigan President Santa J. Ono condemned all forms of discrimination and racism, highlighting the university's dedication to ensuring that debates do not tip over into targeted harassment or bullying.

The resolution agreements with University of Michigan and CUNY mark the first cases to be resolved by the Education Department since the Hamas attack last October. With an additional 106 cases pending at the Office for Civil Rights, it is clear that addressing issues of discrimination and harassment on campuses remains a critical priority.