In light of the recent rise in reports of antisemitism and Islamophobia on college campuses, coupled with heightened federal scrutiny, many universities are taking proactive measures by establishing new positions dedicated to addressing these serious concerns.
The appointment of Title VI coordinators signifies a significant shift in how colleges are approaching civil rights issues. This move comes as institutions recognize their previous inadequacies in managing complaints, a gap that the Office for Civil Rights within the Education Department has urged them to rectify. The increasing number of these roles suggests that universities anticipate ongoing federal attention regarding Title VI compliance.
Higher education leaders and experts believe that these new coordinators will facilitate a more organized and effective response to incidents of discrimination based on race and shared ancestry. This is particularly crucial as many institutions were caught off guard by the surge in complaints related to shared ancestry discrimination, which emerged during pro-Palestinian protests on campuses in the fall of 2023 and spring of 2024.
This trend mirrors the evolution of Title IX regulations in the early 2010s, which were prompted by complaints and legal actions concerning the handling of sexual assault cases in colleges. In addition to hiring Title VI coordinators, many institutions are establishing dedicated Title VI offices, developing new training programs, and reassessing their investigative protocols.
The responsibilities of these new coordinators are expected to resemble those of Title IX coordinators, who manage investigations into sexual harassment and discrimination, promote awareness of Title IX on campus, and monitor trends in campus climate. The push for Title IX coordinators began in the last decade, following the Obama administration’s efforts to address campus sexual assault. The regulations introduced by the Trump administration in 2020 formalized the requirement for colleges to employ Title IX coordinators.
However, prior to last year, dedicated roles for Title VI, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, and national origin, were largely absent. Now, numerous institutions are either hiring or planning to appoint Title VI coordinators, including several prominent universities.
Understanding the Challenges
It is not surprising that colleges have historically underfunded Title VI initiatives. Unlike Title IX, the Education Department has not issued specific regulations for Title VI, leaving institutions uncertain about their obligations in handling complaints. Data from the Office for Civil Rights indicates that Title VI complaints are the least frequent type of civil rights complaint, accounting for only a small percentage of total complaints received.
In fact, the number of Title VI complaints saw a significant increase in recent years, particularly those related to shared ancestry, which surged dramatically from 2023 to 2024.
“Most institutions have a Title IX coordinator and a coordinator for accessibility services,” noted an expert in the field. “However, there has been a lack of clarity regarding Title VI obligations, leading to confusion about where to assign this role.”
Consequently, many Title IX coordinators have been tasked with handling Title VI complaints, which can be problematic given their limited familiarity with the nuances of Title VI and the complexities of identifying racially hostile environments. Additionally, these coordinators are often overwhelmed with their existing Title IX responsibilities.
The inadequacy of the existing framework to address Title VI complaints became glaringly apparent as reports of antisemitism and Islamophobia surged in the fall of 2023.
“Students affected by Title VI violations often find themselves navigating a maze of offices, unsure of where to turn for help,” explained a crisis management consultant. “A centralized Title VI coordinator would streamline this process, ensuring that students receive the support they need regardless of where they initially seek assistance.”
Institutional Responses
In some instances, the establishment of Title VI roles has been mandated as a result of legal actions or agreements with the Office for Civil Rights. Many of these agreements, particularly those related to shared ancestry complaints, have required institutions to appoint Title VI coordinators.
For example, the University of Washington committed to hiring a Title VI coordinator as part of the resolution of two antisemitism complaints. The university was also instructed to create a new office that would house both Title IX and Title VI coordinators, ensuring a consistent approach to handling complaints.
“The Title VI Coordinator will oversee the university’s compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act,” the university stated in an announcement regarding the new position. “This role will not only focus on compliance but also lead various civil rights initiatives to promote educational access and prevent discrimination.”
In other cases, institutions are taking proactive measures. The State University of New York system, the largest public college system in the United States, has mandated that each campus appoint a Title VI coordinator by fall 2025.
“We are committed to creating safe and supportive environments across our campuses, free from harassment and discrimination,” stated the chancellor of the SUNY system. “We take Title VI enforcement seriously and believe that having a designated coordinator will enhance our efforts to address these issues effectively.”