Latest News from Campus

Following a nearly two-year investigation, University of California, Davis assistant professor Jemma DeCristo will remain on the job. Three days after the October 7 terrorist attacks, DeCristo posted on X, threatening “Zionist journalists” and their children, and including a knife and blood-drop emojis. She later claimed the post was satire, not a literal call for violence.

Northwestern University, NU Graduate Workers for Palestine, and two graduate students jointly filed to dismiss a class-action lawsuit that alleged the university’s mandatory antisemitism training was discriminatory. The lawsuit, which was initially filed in October, was “dismissed without prejudice, leaving the door open to potentially refile the case” at a future point.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is reportedly closing its Center for Middle East and Islamic Studies following years of controversy regarding alleged antisemitism and anti-Israel bias, including when a guest speaker called October 7, 2023 a “beautiful day” and argued for “the eradication of Zionism.” In an op-ed, Peter Reitzes, who writes about antisemitism in North Carolina, said the anticipated closure is a positive move that “hopefully reduces the hate, antisemitism, and anti-Israel demonization that has been normalized at the university for years.”

A University of Sydney staff member faces charges of stalking or intimidation after she  allegedly harassed Jewish students and staff at a Sukkot event in October, reportedly calling attendees “parasites” and “baby killer[s].”The incident was captured on video and led to the staffer’s suspension from the university.

A Jewish student at the University of Cincinnati (UC) filed a formal complaint with the provost’s office, alleging a guest speaker made repeated antisemitic remarks during a design class. According to the complaint, the lecturer made comments such as, “Has anyone ever heard that the Jews are evil?” and “I have Jewish friends, and some Jews are good, but historically they have caused conflict and tried to take over Palestine.”

A bipartisan group of lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives reintroduced the Protecting Students on Campus Act, legislation meant to increase education about students’ rights to file Title VI civil rights complaints and improve transparency on how colleges handle allegations of discrimination, including antisemitism.