Title VI

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in educational programs or activities that receive federal funds.

Colleges and universities that receive federal funding must comply with Title VI. This means they are responsible for ensuring that students can learn in an environment free from unlawful discrimination based on race, color, or national origin, including ancestry and ethnicity.

A Title VI complaint filed with the U.S. Education Department’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) is different from taking legal action against an individual, such as a professor or another student. Instead, it focuses on how the school responds to and addresses discrimination.

Title VI does not list religion as a protected category, but it does cover discrimination based on a person’s actual or perceived shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics. Since 2004, the “shared ancestry” language has been interpreted to include religious discrimination. Thus, antisemitism is understood to include discrimination based on shared ancestry and ethnicity. This means that targeting or excluding Jewish, Israeli, or Zionist students because of those identities may violate Title VI, while criticism of Jewish or Israeli students, by itself, is not a Title VI violation.

In other words:

• It is not a Title VI violation simply to speak against Jews, Israel, or Zionism.
• It can be a Title VI problem if someone is denied opportunities, harassed, or excluded because they are Jewish, Israeli, or Zionist, or are perceived that way.

Schools that receive federal funds must take steps to prevent and address discrimination that interferes with a student’s ability to learn. A university that knows or should know about discrimination based on race, color, or national origin and fails to respond in an appropriate way may be in violation of Title VI.

Title VI may be relevant when:

• Repeated antisemitic statements in a classroom go unaddressed;
• Jewish or Zionist students are excluded from campus opportunities or spaces;
• Antisemitic imagery or language is used that creates a hostile environment;
• A university fails to respond appropriately after being notified of antisemitic incidents.

This can include incidents in classrooms, student spaces, residence halls, or during university-sponsored programs.

Filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is one option for addressing discrimination. Many students choose to talk first with campus-based or supportive resources to understand their situation and options.

Taking time to understand what feels right for you is okay. If you are interested in filing a complaint, your campus Hillel can help you think through options and, if you choose, support you in that process.

Who can file a Title VI Complaint with OCR?
Anyone who believes there has been discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in an education program that receives federal funds may file a complaint with OCR. The person filing does not have to be the direct target of the discrimination; you can file as an affected student, a friend, a parent, or another community member.

Who are the allegations against? A school? A student group on campus?
A Title VI Complaint with OCR is against the educational institution, not any individual, group, or organization.

Is there a timeline for filing complaints with OCR?
Complaints are generally expected to be filed within 180 days of the alleged discrimination, though there may be exceptions.

Do I need to document anything?
If you’re comfortable doing so, saving dates, screenshots, or descriptions of what happened can be helpful — but you don’t need perfect records to ask for support or information.

What is the end result of an OCR investigation?
If OCR finds that Title VI was violated, it typically works with the university to reach a resolution agreement that requires specific steps to remedy the discrimination and prevent it from happening again (for example, policy changes, training, or measures to repair the learning environment.)

Campus for All is here to help you understand your student rights and your options. This page is informational — not legal advice — and is meant to support students in making informed decisions that feel right for them.

If you’re dealing with something urgent or distressing, reaching out for support can be an important first step. Your campus Hillel can help connect you with trusted resources and guidance.

CALL, the Campus Antisemitism Legal Line, is a free and confidential resource where students can report antisemitic incidents and speak with legal professionals. CALL is designed to help students understand their options and think through possible next steps — without pressure or obligation. It is a partnership between Hillel International, ADL, and the Brandeis Center, with support from attorneys at each organization. Please note that you should always report antisemitic incidents to your local Hillel.