Latest News from Campus

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a civil rights lawsuit against the University of California, accusing UCLA of creating a “hostile work environment” by failing to address antisemitic harassment against Jewish and Israeli faculty and staff after October 2023. In response, a UCLA spokesperson said the university has “taken concrete and significant steps” to combat antisemitism on its campus.

University of Maryland student Gabi Stern testified before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights about antisemitism on college campuses, sharing concerns that Jewish students do not always feel represented or protected. Stern’s testimony highlighted the timing of a BDS resolution that passed at the university on Yom Kippur, making it difficult for the Jewish community to participate in the voting process. “It just feels like that was kind of a deliberate attempt to exclude us from the representative process,” he said.

In testimony before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, two George Washington University (GW) students and an alum recounted their experiences with antisemitism on campus, detailing anti-Israel comments from faculty and a lack of administrative action that they say made Jewish students feel unsafe – urging greater accountability from the university. In response, a university spokesperson said GW condemns antisemitism in the “strongest terms” and cited steps taken to strengthen policies.

Jewish college students say a group confronted and harassed them during a Hillel-affiliated gathering at a café near DePaul University in Chicago, with students and witnesses reporting chants, intimidation, and a physical altercation. Chicago police and the university launched investigations into the incident, with the café denying the accusations and saying it does not tolerate bullying or discrimination.

American Jewish Committee (AJC) and Hillel International released new data showing that 42% of Jewish college students report experiencing antisemitism on campus, yet remain deeply involved in Jewish life and leadership. Adam Lehman, president and CEO of Hillel International, said that even amid harassment, Jewish students “are working to make their campuses the kind of places that they believe they deserve.”

University of Arizona Hillel reported that an individual threw an object at the Hillel building over the weekend, cracking a large glass window and damaging a smaller window. Tucson police and University of Arizona police opened an investigation and  Arizona Hillel is increasing its security measures following the incident.