Drexel Now Under Investigation By Feds

PHILADELPHIA — A third Pennsylvania institution of higher learning is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Education for alleged shared ancestry violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

Drexel University is among the entities being investigated. The investigation opened Monday, according to the department.

In November, the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and Lafayette College in Easton were included on the list of schools being probed for alleged shared ancestry violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

This portion of the Civil Rights Act (Title VI) prohibits race, color, or national origin discrimination, including harassment based on a person’s shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics.

"Schools that receive federal financial assistance have a responsibility to address discrimination when the discrimination involves racial, ethnic, or ancestral slurs or stereotypes; or is based on a student’s skin color, physical features, or style of dress that reflects both ethnic and religious traditions, to name a few characteristics," the department said in its investigation announcement. "Likewise, schools have a responsibility to address discrimination against students based on the region of the world they come from or are perceived to come from."

According to the department, of the seven investigations, five involve alleged antisemitic harassment and two allege anti-Muslim harassment. It's unclear what types of harassment were alleged, Drexel, Penn and Lafayette.

"Drexel University is committed to ensuring a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all of our students, faculty, and professional staff," Drexel said in a statement. "Drexel does not tolerate acts of bias, discrimination, and harassment and will fully cooperate with the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights in its investigation."