Justice Department finds GWU in violation of Title VI

Justice Department finds GWU in violation of Title VI

The U.S. Department of Justice announced this week that George Washington University violated federal civil rights laws by doing nothing while Israeli students faced antisemitic discrimination on campus.

The investigation, launched by the Civil Rights Division, found the Washington, D.C. university violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by “acting deliberately indifferent to the hostile educational environment for Jewish, American-Israeli and Israeli students and faculty.”

The DOJ sent a letter to GWU President Ellen Granberg, stating that despite the notice of abuse that was happening to Jewish students, the school took no action on the complaints received from Jewish and Israeli students and faculty.

An account, one Jewish GWU student described in the letter, was being surrounded, threatened and ordered to leave by antisemitic protestors after walking out of the university’s law school. GWU’s assistant dean of students instructed the student to leave because the student’s presence, according to the dean, was “antagonizing and provoking the crowd.”

Another encounter occurred as a Jewish student quietly held up an Israeli flag while protestors linked arms together blocking the student’s movement, while the crowd shouted racial slurs. A nearby GWU police officer reportedly did nothing to prevent or intervene in this harassment and instead told the Jewish student to leave the area for his safety.

“Every student has the right to equal educational opportunities without fear of harassment or abuse,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who heads the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division. “No one is above the law, and universities that promulgate antisemitic discrimination will face legal consequences.”

In a Faculty Senate meeting on Tuesday, President Granberg said the university believes there is no place for antisemitism on campus and defended its commitment to addressing antisemitic actions.

Granberg also said the university has collaborated with members of GWU’s Jewish community to enhance campus safety and create a more welcoming environment for students.

“I want to make it very clear that GW condemns antisemitism,” Granberg said.

The DOJ requested that GWU enter into a voluntary resolution agreement by Aug. 22.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Trump confirms Nvidia chip agreement

Trump confirms Nvidia chip agreement

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Nvidia will pay the United States 15% of the money it makes from selling artificial intelligence chips to China, President Donald Trump said in a...
Dorian Coins

Doran Coins Celebrates Grand Opening with Ribbon Cutting

CASEY — Doran Coins, a coin collecting and trading business, held its ribbon cutting ceremony this weekend at its new downtown Casey location. The business, located at 7 N. Central...
States challenge federal report promoting coal plants

States challenge federal report promoting coal plants

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Michigan has joined a coalition of states challenging a Department of Energy report claiming the U.S. will face a significantly increased risk of power outages...
U.S. Supreme Court could rule on Texas lawsuits brought in Democratic-led state courts

U.S. Supreme Court could rule on Texas lawsuits brought in Democratic-led state courts

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square If courts in Democratic-led states don’t honor a request by the Texas House of Representatives to domesticate civil warrants for the arrest of absconding Texas...
WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Monday Aug. 11th, 2025

WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Monday Aug. 11th, 2025

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop reviews the latest...
Illinois quick hits: Judge denies Madigan's motion; legislator urges action on DCFS interns

Illinois quick hits: Judge denies Madigan’s motion; legislator urges action on DCFS interns

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Judge denies Madigan's motion U.S. District Court Judge John Robert Blakey has denied former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s motion to...
Windmill Media Logo

About Us

Your Community, Your News. Welcome to Windmill Media! Our name was inspired by the windmills that once stood as centers of town life, harnessing a natural force to power and...
Everyday Economics: CPI takes center stage as tariff-driven price pressures mount

Everyday Economics: CPI takes center stage as tariff-driven price pressures mount

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square The economy was already slowing, and that was before higher tariffs kicked in last week, raising import taxes to the highest level since the Great...
Casey illinois library.1.logo graphic

100 Women Who Care donates $4,800 to Casey Township Library

Casey’s 100 Women Who Care voted to donate $4,800 to the Casey Township Library at the third quarterly meeting held July 24 at Richards Farm. Pictured...
Net negative migration is harmful to the economy, economists say

Net negative migration is harmful to the economy, economists say

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Though the economy and immigration were issues that helped President Donald Trump secure the White House, some economists have said that too steep a decline...
Details pending on billions in foreign investments coming from trade deals

Details pending on billions in foreign investments coming from trade deals

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square When President Donald Trump announced a string of trade deals with key U.S. trading partners recently, he touted pledges for billions of dollars in U.S....
Texas House sues six Democrats absconding in California

Texas House sues six Democrats absconding in California

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Following through on his pledge to use all means necessary to find, arrest and return absconding House Democrats to Texas, the Texas House, led by...
With antisemitism on the rise, a glimmer of hope at Jewish delis

With antisemitism on the rise, a glimmer of hope at Jewish delis

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square With antisemitism at its highest level in recorded history, Jewish delis in the U.S. are providing a glimpse of hope, celebration and award-winning pastrami on...
‘Exactly what we need’: First expedited coal lease advances

‘Exactly what we need’: First expedited coal lease advances

By Tate MillerThe Center Square The first expedited coal lease under the Big Beautiful Bill has advanced with the goal of energy independence and job creation in mind. An energy...
In six months, ICE arrests 350 gang members in Houston

In six months, ICE arrests 350 gang members in Houston

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square In the first six months of the Trump administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Houston arrested 356 illegal foreign nationals who are confirmed...