Westbank Louisiana News

On July 24, 2024, U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) introduced the Restoring Civility on Campus Act, aimed at ensuring universities and the Department of Education address civil rights complaints related to violence or harassment based on heritage. This legislative effort follows rising antisemitism incidents post-October 7 attacks.

Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) also supported the bill's introduction.

"The threats and violence against Jewish students demand action. No student should be afraid to walk around campus because of who they are," said Dr. Cassidy. "Universities and the Department of Education have failed to meet their legal obligation to protect Jewish students from harm. This bill forces accountability and ensures discrimination is never ignored."

"I have been demanding answers from this administration about what they are doing to combat the abhorrent and un-American spike in antisemitism on college campuses, and their inaction speaks volumes," said Senator Ernst. "Jewish students should not be forced to risk their safety in pursuit of an education. The Restoring Civility on Campus Act will force the Department of Education to stop sitting on its hands and comply with the law to protect students from the hate and violence that have exploded across the country."

Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, DeptEd’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is responsible for ensuring federally funded university programs do not discriminate against students based on shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics.

Last year saw a 700 percent increase in antisemitic incidents on campuses. Schools failing to address harassment violate Title VI, with OCR criticized for delays in processing civil rights complaints.

Colleges must report campus crimes through the Clery Act, including hate crimes motivated by prejudice; however, these reports often lack accuracy.

The Restoring Civility on Campus Act proposes:

1. Immediate investigation by OCR into civil rights complaints involving discrimination based on shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics since October 7, 2023.

2. Increased transparency for students reporting antisemitism by requiring OCR updates every 30 days.

3. Accurate reporting of hate-motivated crimes with strengthened enforcement under Title VI.

4. Annual Security Report audits for documented campus crimes motivated by prejudice at institutions with pending Title VI complaints.

5. Temporary increase in fines for schools failing to disclose antisemitic crimes from $69,733 to $1 million per violation under the Clery Act for two years.

6. Enhanced accountability over university and agency officials through required in-person evaluations by DeptEd staff.

7. Public reports issued by DeptEd on OCR cases involving alleged discrimination updated every 30 days for two years.

The full text of the bill is available online.

For further updates from HELP Republicans, visit their website or Twitter @GOPHELP.