The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights have informed the New England Commission of Higher Education about Harvard University's violation of federal antidiscrimination laws. This development may impact Harvard's accreditation status as it may not meet the Commission's standards.
According to the Commission's "Standards for Accreditation," member institutions must follow non-discriminatory policies in various aspects, including recruitment and admissions. The finding by HHS' OCR that Harvard is violating federal civil rights law suggests a potential failure to meet these standards.
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon emphasized the importance of accrediting bodies in maintaining academic integrity and ensuring student safety on campus: “By allowing anti-Semitic harassment and discrimination to persist unchecked on its campus, Harvard University has failed in its obligation to students, educators, and American taxpayers."
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., remarked on the consequences for institutions that do not protect their students: “When an institution—no matter how prestigious—abandons its mission and fails to protect its students, it forfeits the legitimacy that accreditation is designed to uphold.”
Under federal regulations, accreditors must notify member institutions of compliance failures and develop a plan for them to regain compliance. Failure to comply can lead to actions against the institution.
The issue arose when HHS' OCR initiated a review based on reports of anti-Semitic incidents at Harvard Medical School during its 2024 commencement ceremony. This review was later expanded to include all of Harvard University from October 7, 2023, onwards.
On June 30, a Joint Task Force informed Harvard that HHS' OCR found violations of Title VI due to indifference towards discrimination against Jewish and Israeli students since October 7, 2023.
Title VI prohibits federally funded entities from discriminating based on race, color, or national origin.
