The Connection Among Parties: GWU, OCR, and Crowell & Moring LLP
Double Standards at OCR and GWU
Overview
In January 2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) reached a voluntary resolution agreement with George Washington University (GWU) regarding two discrimination complaints—one alleging anti-Palestinian discrimination and the other antisemitism. The stark contrast in how these complaints were handled highlights troubling double standards in addressing discrimination at the university.
Complaint 1: Anti-Palestinian Discrimination (Filed by Palestine Legal)
- The complaint, filed by Palestine Legal, alleged that GWU discriminated against Palestinian students.
- The OCR determined that GWU “may have treated [a pro-Palestine student] differently on the basis of shared ancestry.”
- Resolution Outcome: GWU agreed to expunge charges against the affected student and revise policies.
Complaint 2: Antisemitism (Filed by StandWithUs)
- The complaint, filed by StandWithUs, detailed antisemitic incidents and a hostile campus climate for Jewish students.
- The OCR found “insufficient evidence” to support claims of antisemitism.
- GWU declined to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, which includes anti-Zionism as a form of antisemitism.
- Source: Palestine Legal
The Double Standard
The OCR’s handling of discrimination complaints shows inconsistent standards:
- For pro-Palestinian students: The possibility of discrimination warranted action.
- For Jewish students: Extensive evidence was deemed “insufficient.”
This is no coincidence. The head counsel investigating the case, a former inside counsel for GWU, raises concerns about a conflict of interest due to ties to the university and Crowell & Moring LLP. Read more.
The OCR has been influenced by political interests, contributing to delayed responses to antisemitism and failure to protect Jewish students under Title VI.
As part of the agreement, GWU committed to several actions: Policy Evaluation, Record Maintenance, Training Implementation, Climate Survey, and Record Corrections.
However, this agreement is laughable and a complete failure! The administration should be personally held liable, face financial penalties, be fired, and even imprisoned for enabling an environment that perpetuates discrimination and promulgates pro-Hamas propaganda.
Conclusion
This case highlights bias in civil rights enforcement. GWU and the OCR must be held accountable for their failure to protect Jewish students under Title VI, free of political bias.
For the official GWU statement: mediarelations.gwu.edu.
