RELEASE: Gottheimer Statement on Rutgers University’s Settlement with Department of Education After Failure to Protect Students from Discrimination  

NORTH JERSEY — Today, January 3, 2025, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) found that Rutgers University failed to protect students against alleged Antisemitic and Anti-Arab discrimination. 

“While I remain concerned that addressing these claims took too long, I appreciate the DOE’s investigation and recognition of the disturbing instances of discrimination we have witnessed against Jewish, Israeli, Palestinian, Arab, Muslim, and South Asian students at Rutgers University. I am appalled that, in a single year, DOE documented more than 400 reports of discrimination on Rutgers’ campus. No student should feel unsafe or threatened at school. 

This resolution agreement is an important step forward, and I am pleased to see that Rutgers has committed to implement many of the same reforms that I have urged them to make in the last year. I will be watching closely to ensure that Rutgers follows through on its commitment to eradicate antisemitism and discrimination from its campus, and makes meaningful progress toward fostering a safer and more inclusive environment for all students and faculty members. I will never stop calling out antisemitism and fighting against all forms of hate and discrimination.”

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