DOJ launches investigation into UNLV over antisemitism complaints
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched an investigation into UNLV, focusing on the school's "response to antisemitism on campus."
The DOJ's investigation, at least the second federal probe into the school this year, is intended to investigate whether the university, which received federal assistance, "has denied equal treatment of individuals based on race or national origin," in violation of federal civil rights law.
The agency requested that UNLV share a description of the entities responsible for responding to the events following the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel. It also requested a spreadsheet from UNLV listing all reports and complaints of discrimination based on "actual or perceived" religion or national origin.
In a statement, UNLV officials said it "intends to cooperate fully and looks forward to a thorough and fair compliance review. We are confident that the review will demonstrate that the university has and continues to adhere to all applicable federal and state laws."
The letter notifying the university was signed by a DOJ official and the state's Acting U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah.
It comes after a Jewish UNLV student filed a lawsuit last year claiming that pro-Palestinian groups on campus violated his civil rights and federal anti-terrorism laws. The initial lawsuit (dismissed by a judge earlier this year) was filed by the Israeli-born Chattah, who withdrew from the case after being named the state's U.S. attorney.
This story was updated on 9/30/25 at 5:02 p.m. to add a statement from UNLV.
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