Members of the U.S. Congress send letter to Secretary Margaret Spellings of the U.S. Department of Education (OCR) regarding Title VI

Below is an excerpt of a letter to Secretary Spellings dated April 30, 2008. It is signed by Representatives Brad Sherman (D-CA), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Steven Rothman (D-NJ), Allyson Schwartz (D-PA) and Robert Wexler (D-FL).

"RE: Title VI Applies to Anti-Semitism

Dear Secretary Spellings,

We are writing to express our concern regarding anti-Semitic incidents aimed at Jewish students at several colleges and universities and the response to such incidents by the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR). In particular, we are concerned about whether OCR is enforcing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) to protect Jewish students from anti-Semitic discrimination.

FACTUAL BACKGROUND

On October II, 2004, the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) filed a complaint with OCR alleging a pattern of anti-Semitic harassment, intimidation, and discrimination on the campus of the University of California at Irvine (UCI). Such conduct allegedly interfered with the ability of UCl's Jewish students to participate in and benefit from academic and extracurricular activities. Many of the students reportedly felt threatened, and some transferred to other schools due to the harassment. The complaint further alleged that because UCl's administration failed respond effectively to repeated complaints about anti-Semitism on campus, UCI had violated Title V.

Over three years later, on November 30,2007, OCR concluded that it lacked jurisdiction under Title VI over many of the allegations in the ZOA's complaint. Title VI prohibits discrimination based on "race, color, or national origin." Because OCR reasoned that none of these categories generally apply to anti-Semitism, OCR did no have the authority under Title VI to pursue most of the alleged claims of discrimination. This reversed OCR policy, as clarified in 2004, of protecting Jews against anti-Semitism....."

Please read the entire letter here.

Posted in: Allyson Schwartz,Brad Sherman,Linda Sanchez,Office for Civil Rights,Robert Wexler,Secretary Spellings,Steven Rothman,Zionist Organization of America