EASTON, Pa. — Lafayette College has resolved a federal civil rights investigation where the U.S. Department of Education found the college failed to properly address antisemitic behavior last October.
Following a seven-month investigation, the department's Office of Civil Rights (OCR) determined that while the college took steps to address antisemitic and anti-Arab discrimination in the weeks following the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, Lafayette didn't respond consistently to complaints — especially if the allegations took place off campus or on social media, according to a statement by the OCR.
OCR said that Lafayette College officials agreed to the following to resolve the investigation:
- Review complaints of discrimination or harassment from the 2023-2024 school year and determine if the alleged behavior created a hostile environment even if those events occurred off campus or on social media;
- Document and share the college's responses to all complaints alleging discrimination on the basis of shared ancestry with the OCR for the next two school years;
- Review and revise its procedures to fully comply with the Civil Rights Act of 1964;
- Provide new training to all employees and staff who investigate allegations of discrimination and new anti-discrimination training for all staff and students.
“We take these matters most seriously and, consistent with our close partnership with OCR during its investigation, will follow through fully on these obligations.”Lafayette College President Nicole Hurd, as reported by The Lafayette
The investigation began after someone filed a complaint with the OCR alleging that letters were posted across campus on Oct. 25 calling for the death of all Jewish people and the destruction of Israel.
Two days later, members of a group called "Pards for Palestine" allegedly asked people if they were Jewish and harassed them.
The OCR announced it was investigating Lafayette and six other universities in November over allegations of antisemitism and Islamophobia on their campuses.
Lafayette officials said at the time they would cooperate with the investigation.
In an statement to the college community Thursday, President Nicole Hurd said the resolution indicates no “liability, non-compliance, or wrongdoing by the College." Lafayette officials declined further comment on the matter Friday.
“We take these matters most seriously and, consistent with our close partnership with OCR during its investigation, will follow through fully on these obligations,” Hurd wrote in the statement.
