Rutgers University reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Education on Thursday, resolving civil rights complaints that accused the university of fostering a “hostile environment” for Jewish, Palestinian and other groups based on national origin or shared ancestry.

The state’s flagship university had received numerous reports from students, including Jewish, Israeli, Palestinian, South Asian, Arab and Muslim individuals across its four campuses. These students alleged they experienced harassment, vandalism, threats, and other forms of violence between July 2023 and June 2024.

The complaints were filed both before and after a four-day protest by the Students for Justice in Palestine chapter at the New Brunswick campus, who were protesting the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

As part of the settlement, Rutgers has agreed to reassess its policies and complaints related to discrimination to ensure it aligns with federal Title IX guidelines. The university will also implement new training for staff and campus security personnel.

A Rutgers spokesperson emphasized that the university “strongly opposes discrimination and harassment in any form” and expressed gratitude to the Office for Civil Rights for its assistance.