The U.S. Department of Education is investigating Pomona College, a private liberal arts school in Claremont, Calif., for alleged violation of Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the federal government announced on Tuesday.
The department investigates schools that receive public funding for bias related to “shared ancestry,” including religion. Many of the department’s open investigations are related to alleged Jew-hatred, although the department does not disclose publicly the reason for the investigation.
JNS sought comment from the college.
Pomona received an “F” grade on the StopAntisemitism report card released late last year. “Students do not feel that the school administration supports its Jewish population enough in combating antisemitism,” the watchdog said at the time, noting that Pomona “acknowledged” the survey “but refused to complete it.”
Pomona “does not include antisemitism in its diversity, equity and inclusion training,” per StopAntisemitism, which noted that Pomona students “do not feel safe showing their support for Israel on campus.”
It added that multiple resolutions boycotting the Jewish state passed at the school.
“We have reviewed or are reviewing every complaint we have received, and any violations found will be addressed with discipline under our code of conduct,” the college stated on Dec. 1. “We will enforce our policies to support all students in pursuing their education.” The college added that one example of antisemitism is “perpetuating the idea that if a Jewish person supports Israel, they are supporting the killing of infants and children.”
The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law and the Anti-Defamation League announced on May 9 that they had filed a complaint with the Education Department against Pomona.
The more than 135-year-old school, which has religious origins, is tied for fourth in the U.S. News & World Report 2024 rankings of national liberal arts colleges and is third in best value schools. The total annual attendance charges are $82,700, per the Pomona website.
