HHS Office for Civil Rights Announces Settlement Ending Discrimination Against Jewish Students at Lincoln Memorial University - Summary - MDSpire
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HHS Office for Civil Rights Reaches Agreement to Address Discrimination Against Jewish Students at Lincoln Memorial University

  • By

  • Office for Civil Rights (OCR)

  • September 15, 2026

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Objective:

To resolve discrimination against Jewish students at Lincoln Memorial University (LMU).

Approach:
  • Investigation: A joint inquiry by the HHS Office for Civil Rights and the DOJ investigated LMU under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act.
  • Settlement Agreement: LMU-DCOM will amend its absence policy to allow religiously motivated absences and rescind penalties imposed on Jewish students.
Key Findings:
  • LMU's DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine discriminated against Jewish students by not accommodating their religious observances.
  • LMU-DCOM will amend its absence policy to allow religiously motivated absences to be excused on the same terms as non-religious absences.
  • LMU will rescind penalties imposed on Jewish students improperly denied religious accommodations during the 2025–2026 academic year.
Interpretation:

The agreement aims to ensure equal treatment for students of all religious backgrounds at LMU.

Limitations:
  • The investigation will conclude after LMU fulfills its settlement obligations.
  • The agreement does not address potential future incidents of discrimination.
Conclusion:

The swift action by LMU to address discrimination is commended, especially in light of upcoming religious observances.

Sources:

Original Source(s)

HHS Office for Civil Rights Announces Settlement Ending Discrimination Against Jewish Students at Lincoln Memorial University

  • by Office for Civil Rights (OCR)

  • September 15, 2026

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