Tom Horne defends ASU amid federal discrimination investigation
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — The U.S. Department of Education is investigating Arizona State University and is at risk of losing hundreds of millions of dollars in federal grant funding.
The school is one of 60 universities currently being investigated. The Education Department mailed the schools a letter telling them they were being investigated for possibly breaking Title VI, specifically for failing to protect Jewish students on campus.
If a university breaks Title VI, the federal government can revoke federal funding.
“I would not have included ASU on that list, but as I say, there may be things I don’t know about,” said State Superintendent Tom Horne, who is also a member of the Arizona Board of Regents.
Horne said the university receives a significant amount of federal funding for research. “I hope that the federal government will recognize the values of this of what ASU provides, especially in scientific research where it does tremendous things.”
An ASU spokesperson told Arizona’s Family this investigation stems from a 2023 complaint from a conservative watchdog group called “Campus Reform.”
Horne said he understands why the investigation is happening across the country. “I totally agree with their anger,” he said, adding he’s confident that ASU has not broken Title VI.
A statement from ASU to Arizona’s Family read in part, “[ASU] has a long history of opposing antisemitic rhetoric and acts of intimidation[...] Whether on our campuses or in the community.
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