The U.S. Department of Education has opened an investigation into Harvard University while its president, along MIT's and the University of Pennsylvania's, have been called to testify at the U.S. House of Representatives.
The investigation comes after Harvard and nearby MIT have come under fire for their handling of student-led protests on campus since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7.
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The Department of Education began the investigation into Harvard on Tuesday, according to its website. NBC10 Boston has reached out to Harvard for comment; a representative told The Boston Globe the school supports the department's efforts "to ensure students’ rights to access educational programs are safeguarded and will work with the office to address their questions."
A complaint alleging Harvard “discriminated against students on the basis of their national origin (shared Jewish ancestry and/or Israeli) when it failed to respond appropriately to reports of incidents of harassment" prompted the investigation, the Globe reported, citing portions from a Department of Education letter it reviewed.
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A representative for the Department of Education confirmed to NBC News it was investigation but said its Office for Civil Rights doesn't share details of ongoing investigations.
Separately, Harvard President Claudine Gay, along with MIT President Sally Kornbluth and University of Pennsylvania President Elizabeth Magill, are being called to testify before a congressional committee next week.
"College administrators have largely stood by, allowing horrific rhetoric to fester and grow… by holding this hearing, we are shining the spotlight on these campus leaders and demanding they take the appropriate action to stand strong against antisemitism," Chairwoman Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., said in a public notice posted Tuesday on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce website.
The committee hearing is set for next Tuesday morning. Both presidents from Harvard and MIT have confirmed their attendance.
