Lincoln Memorial University has reached a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services following a joint investigation into the treatment of Jewish students at its DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine.

The investigation found that during the 2025-2026 academic year, LMU-DCOM denied Jewish students requests to reschedule classes, exams and other academic assignments so they could observe religious holidays, while approving similar requests from non-Jewish students. Federal officials announced the voluntary settlement Tuesday.

The university's handling of religious accommodations changed again in January after Jewish students challenged the disparity. LMU-DCOM adopted a policy barring accommodations for religious observances while continuing to allow excused absences for certain non-religious reasons, including professional student leadership obligations. The DOJ and HHS opened their investigation the following month.

Under the settlement, LMU-DCOM must revise its absence policy so religious absences can receive excused status on the same basis as non-religious absences. Students whose requests are approved cannot be penalized academically or otherwise because of those absences.

The university must also train students, administrators, professors, faculty and staff on the revised policy. Any penalties previously imposed on Jewish students who were improperly denied religious accommodations during the 2025-2026 academic year must be reversed.

“Students of all ethnic and religious backgrounds, including Jewish students, should receive the same treatment at our nation’s universities,” Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said in announcing the settlement.

HHS Office for Civil Rights Director Paula Stannard said the agreement establishes protections for religious accommodations at a medical school whose students are preparing for careers in health care.

LMU said it had worked with the federal government for months to reach what it described as an amicable resolution. The university said its policies are intended to maintain academic standards while meeting the needs of its diverse student body and emphasized that it does not tolerate antisemitism or discrimination.

The federal investigation was opened in February after the DOJ and HHS began examining whether LMU was discriminating against Jewish students. At that stage, federal officials explicitly said they had not reached conclusions about the allegations.

The settlement now requires the university to implement the corrective measures before the Civil Rights Division closes the investigation. LMU will remain eligible for federal funding because of its cooperation with the government.