The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has referred Harvard University to the department’s office responsible for suspension and debarment proceedings, a step that could lead to the university being excluded from receiving federal funding.
This action follows a Notice of Violation issued by OCR on June 30, 2025, under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The notice stated that Harvard violated Title VI by showing deliberate indifference toward discrimination and harassment against Jewish and Israeli students since October 7, 2023. On July 30, 2025, OCR also referred Harvard to the U.S. Department of Justice for further enforcement regarding this violation.
According to HHS, efforts were made by multiple federal entities—including HHS OCR, the White House, and the Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism—to secure voluntary compliance from Harvard with Title VI requirements.
“OCR’s referral of Harvard for formal administrative proceedings reflects OCR’s commitment to safeguard both taxpayer investments and the broader public interest,” said Paula M. Stannard, OCR Director. “Congress has empowered Federal agencies to pursue Title VI compliance through formal enforcement mechanisms, including the termination of funding or denial of future Federal financial assistance, when voluntary compliance cannot be achieved. OCR has notified Harvard of its right to a formal administrative hearing, where an HHS administrative law judge will make an impartial determination on whether Harvard violated Title VI by acting with deliberate indifference towards antisemitic student-on-student harassment.”
Harvard now has 20 days to inform OCR if it will request a formal administrative hearing.
In addition to civil rights proceedings, OCR is referring Harvard for further action under the HHS Suspension and Debarment Program. This program is managed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources at HHS and is designed to protect federally supported programs’ integrity by excluding individuals or entities found not responsible enough due to wrongdoing from doing business with the federal government. Suspensions are temporary pending further action; debarments are final determinations lasting a specified period. Both actions apply government-wide across all federal agencies.
The current referral does not address an ongoing investigation into suspected race-based discrimination within operations at the Harvard Law Review journal.
OCR enforces Title VI, which prohibits recipients of federal financial assistance from discriminating in their programs or activities based on race, color, or national origin—including discrimination based on actual or perceived Israeli or Jewish identity or ancestry.
Individuals who believe they have experienced discrimination in programs operated or funded by HHS can file complaints with the HHS Office for Civil Rights.
