🎓 Unpacking the Controversy at Lincoln Memorial University's DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine

In the quiet town of Harrogate, Tennessee, nestled near the Kentucky border, Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) has found itself at the center of a national conversation about religious freedoms in higher education. The university's DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM), a prominent program training future doctors of osteopathic medicine, is under scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The investigation, announced on February 13, 2026, stems from complaints by Jewish students who allege they were denied reasonable accommodations for observing key religious holidays, particularly during examinations in the Spring 2026 semester.

LMU-DCOM operates campuses in Harrogate, Knoxville, and even Orange Park, Florida, attracting ambitious students pursuing Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degrees. Among them are a small but dedicated group of Orthodox Jewish students residing in Knoxville, conveniently within walking distance of the local Chabad House. This proximity allows them to adhere strictly to Orthodox Jewish practices, such as refraining from driving or using electronics on the Sabbath and major holidays. However, what began as a supportive academic environment in the Fall 2025 semester reportedly shifted dramatically after winter break, sparking accusations of discriminatory policy changes.

The dispute highlights a tension between the rigorous demands of medical training—where attendance and exam performance are paramount—and the sincere religious observances of minority faith groups. As medical schools like LMU-DCOM prepare students for high-stakes careers in healthcare, questions arise about how institutions can balance academic integrity with federal civil rights protections. This case is particularly poignant amid a broader surge in reported antisemitic incidents on U.S. campuses since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, underscoring the need for clear, equitable policies.

From Accommodation to Exclusion: The Handbook Policy Shift

The heart of the allegations lies in a subtle but significant update to the LMU-DCOM Student Handbook. In the Fall 2025 edition, Jewish students received excused absences and rescheduling options for religious observances, including exams, without issue. Rabbi Yossi Wilhelm of Knoxville's Chabad House confirmed that at least two Orthodox Jewish doctoral students navigated their schedules seamlessly during that period, attending services and studies in full compliance with their faith.

However, the Spring 2026 handbook introduced a new note on page 17 under the "Examination Attendance" policy: "Note: Religious holidays/holy days do not qualify for an excused absence from examinations." This addition explicitly excludes religious reasons from the list of approved excuses, which otherwise includes medical necessities, family deaths, or professional obligations submitted at least seven days in advance. Requests for other absences must still be filed via a formal form to the Assistant or Associate Dean of Students, with supporting documentation required within 48 hours for emergencies.

Contrasting this is LMU-DCOM's general religious observances policy, which pledges "every reasonable effort to allow members of the university community to observe their religious holidays without academic penalty." It emphasizes providing alternative opportunities to complete missed work, provided students give advance notice—ideally at the semester's start. Students remain responsible for coursework, and disputes are escalated to the Dean. This apparent inconsistency between the catalog's aspirational language and the handbook's rigid exam rules has fueled the controversy, especially with upcoming holidays like Passover (late April 2026) and Shavuot (early June 2026) potentially conflicting with exam schedules.

Rabbi Wilhelm highlighted the abrupt change during a conversation with a dean: "When they got back after the winter break, is when they changed the rules... it's almost like you change the contract in the middle." He drew parallels to the thousands of observant Jewish doctors practicing worldwide, noting Jewish law's principle of pikuach nefesh (saving a life supersedes most commandments, but routine studying does not qualify as life-or-death).

Legal Foundations: Title VI, Section 1557, and Protections Against Antisemitism

The DOJ's Civil Rights Division, partnering with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office for Civil Rights (HHS OCR), launched the probe on February 12, 2026, under two key statutes. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in federally funded programs—LMU receives substantial federal assistance, subjecting it to oversight. Antisemitism qualifies as discrimination when it targets individuals based on shared Jewish ancestry, ethnicity, or perceived national origin, as affirmed by federal precedents and U.S. Department of Education (ED) guidance.

Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act extends similar protections to healthcare education programs like LMU-DCOM, barring discrimination in medical training. While Title VI does not mandate affirmative religious accommodations (unlike Title VII for employment), it forbids disparate treatment that creates a hostile environment or denies equal educational access. For instance, the ED's Know Your Rights: Title VI and Religion document explains that harassment—such as slurs or stereotypes tied to ancestry—must be addressed promptly if severe enough to limit participation.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon emphasized: “This Department of Justice is fiercely committed to shutting down the concerning outbreak of antisemitism... When colleges single Jewish students out for adverse treatment, they are in clear violation of our civil rights laws.” HHS OCR Director Paula M. Stannard added: “Antisemitism has no place in our nation’s educational or medical training institutions.” No conclusions have been reached, but the investigation examines whether the policy change intentionally disadvantaged Jewish students.

Photo by Chenhsi Duan on Unsplash

Student and Community Voices: Navigating Faith and Medicine

For Orthodox Jewish students, holidays like Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year, two days of prayer and reflection) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement, 25-hour fast prohibiting work) demand total abstinence from secular activities. Passover commemorates the Exodus with dietary restrictions (no leavened foods) over eight days, while Shavuot celebrates the Torah revelation with all-night study. These observances are non-negotiable cornerstones of faith, yet medical school curricula are unforgiving, with exams often determining progression.

• Rabbi Wilhelm's advocacy underscores a key point: Observant Jews thrive in medicine by planning ahead, with hospitals routinely accommodating shifts.
• Students must now weigh rescheduling risks under the new policy, potentially facing penalties for unexcused absences.
• The Knoxville Chabad provides communal support, enabling Shabbat observance despite the Harrogate campus's remoteness.

LMU spokesperson reaffirmed: “Lincoln Memorial University firmly upholds the protections established by Title VI... We take seriously our responsibility to ensure equal access and non-discrimination.” This signals willingness to engage, amid a landscape where ADL reports record-high antisemitic campus incidents in 2025, including harassment tied to Israel-Palestine tensions.

Broader Implications for U.S. Higher Education and Medical Training

This dispute reflects wider challenges in accommodating religious diversity. Post-2023, ADL and Hillel documented surges in antisemitism, with 2025 seeing record incidents despite task forces. Medical schools, emphasizing evidence-based training, must adapt without compromising standards. Private institutions like LMU (despite federal funds) have flexibility, but Title VI binds them to equity.

Comparable cases include ED probes at 60+ universities for Jewish student protections. In osteopathic medicine, where holistic care is core, inclusivity enhances diversity, benefiting patient outcomes. For aspiring professionals, platforms like higher ed jobs list opportunities at inclusive institutions.

Best Practices: Fostering Inclusive Religious Policies

Proactive strategies can prevent disputes:

• Advance Calendars: Publish exam schedules avoiding major holidays (e.g., Jewish High Holy Days calendar).
• Clear Requests: Mandate notice 2-4 weeks prior, with standardized forms.
• Makeup Protocols: Offer penalty-free reschedules within 7-10 days.
• Training: Faculty workshops on pikuach nefesh and accommodations.
• Review Mechanisms: Annual policy audits for equity across faiths.

Resources like the ADL's School & Workplace Accommodations for Jewish High Holy Days guide private schools on voluntary best practices. Institutions excelling here attract diverse talent, as seen in career advice for med students.

Photo by Sheikh Abir Ali on Unsplash

Looking Ahead: Resolutions and Opportunities in Higher Ed

The DOJ probe's outcome could set precedents for religious accommodations in STEM fields. LMU-DCOM might revise policies, aligning handbook with its inclusive catalog. Students facing similar issues can document requests and consult resources like rate my professor for campus cultures.

For those passionate about medicine amid diversity, explore university jobs, faculty positions, or postdoc opportunities on AcademicJobs.com. Share experiences via Rate My Professor, browse higher ed jobs, and access higher ed career advice or post a job. This case reminds us: Inclusive campuses build better healers.