The U.S. Department of Education announced an investigation of Rice University in Houston for potential violations of Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
While not usually revealing the incidents precipitating the complaints, the Education Department describes this case opened on Sept. 3 as “national origin discrimination involving religion.”
Chris Stipes, Rice’s executive director of news and media relations, told JNS that while he could not provide details about the investigation, “we can, however, confirm that it is unrelated to events surrounding the Israel-Hamas war, including Rice’s reactions to persons who express their views about the situation in Israel and Gaza.”
The Education Department opened a first Title VI investigation into Rice on July 30, also involving a complaint of religious discrimination.
Stipes said the school “remains committed to ensuring the safety of its entire campus community, and to fostering a kind, thoughtful and educational environment for the exchange of personal opinions.”
A Title VI investigation into Santa Monica College in Santa Monica, Calif., opened on Wednesday, the third since December, with the previous starting May 20. The Education Department describes all three as “national origin discrimination involving religion.”
