Federal civil-rights officials are taking a hard look at Lincoln Memorial University after reports that Jewish students at the school’s DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine were singled out and blocked from finishing exams during the spring semester. The U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services have launched a joint review to determine whether the university violated federal nondiscrimination laws, tying a local campus dispute to a growing national crackdown on antisemitism in higher education.
Justice Department Opens Civil-Rights Probe
In a press release, the U.S. Department of Justice said its Civil Rights Division opened the investigation on Thursday to assess whether Lincoln Memorial University "is engaged in discrimination against its Jewish students." The inquiry is being carried out under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, since LMU receives significant federal financial assistance. DOJ emphasized that it has not yet reached any findings about the allegations.
Allegations Center on Exam Access
The same notice called out specific claims that the DeBusk College "intentionally preventing Jewish students from completing their exams during the Spring semester," according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Investigators will examine whether that alleged conduct limited Jewish students’ equal access to both educational opportunities and medical training. Paula M. Stannard of HHS’s Office for Civil Rights said in the statement that "all students should be free to learn and train in environments free from discrimination." The Justice Department noted that the probe covers DeBusk College campuses in Harrogate, Knoxville, and Orange Park.
Lincoln Memorial Responds
Lincoln Memorial University told local media that it "firmly upholds the protections established by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act" and "takes seriously our responsibility to ensure equal access and non-discrimination in our educational settings," according to local coverage. The school did not address the specific exam allegations in that statement. The response was reported by WVLT.
Federal Scrutiny Has Broadened
The LMU investigation comes amid a wider federal push on campus antisemitism. Last March, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights sent letters to roughly 60 institutions warning that Title VI could be enforced to protect Jewish students, signaling more aggressive oversight. This week, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is holding a public briefing on antisemitism on college campuses and the federal response. Together, those actions underscore a sustained national focus on how colleges handle antisemitic harassment and access concerns, with agencies publicly pledging to follow the facts and the law wherever they lead.
What the Law Covers
Title VI prohibits discrimination by recipients of federal funds based on race, color, or national origin, while Section 1557 extends nondiscrimination protections in health programs and activities funded by HHS, according to HHS. Because LMU and its medical college receive federal support, DOJ and HHS have the authority to investigate and, if they find violations, to require remedies that can include corrective agreements or administrative enforcement measures. Any final outcome will hinge on what investigators uncover and whether the university’s actions satisfy federal concerns.
What Happens Next
In civil-rights investigations of this kind, federal officials typically collect documents, interview students, faculty, and staff, and analyze institutional policies and practices. The Justice Department has not offered a timeline for wrapping up its review of LMU. The university has said it will cooperate with federal authorities as the case moves forward. Local outlets have requested additional comment from both the school and federal agencies, and more details are expected as new statements or filings surface.
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