Latest News from Campus

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services canceled $60 million in federal grants to Harvard University, citing the institution’s failure to adequately address antisemitic harassment and racial discrimination on campus. Harvard denied the allegations and filed a lawsuit against the White House, arguing that the funding cuts threaten crucial research projects and violate federal law.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signed an executive order directing state education leaders to develop resources to prevent, track, and report antisemitic incidents in Virginia public schools and universities. The order follows reports of 554 antisemitic incidents in Virginia over the past year, with most occurring in educational settings.

In a hearing about antisemitism on campus held by the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, lawmakers questioned the presidents of DePaul University, Cal Polytechnic Institute, and Haverford College about the treatment of Jewish students on their campuses. A number of committee members criticized Haverford College President Wendy Raymond for not disclosing disciplinary information taken against students or faculty accused of antisemitism, a policy that she defended.

Anti-Israel protesters at the University of Washington caused more than $1 million in damage to the school’s engineering building during a demonstration where protestors demanded that the university sever ties with defense contractor, Boeing. In response, the U.S. Department of Education has initiated a federal review of the incident, citing concerns about campus safety and antisemitism.

A Temple University student was suspended after displaying an antisemitic sign that read ‘F*** the Jews’ at Barstool Sansom Street in Philadelphia. Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy condemned the incident, fired two employees involved, and announced plans to send the patrons responsible on an educational trip to Auschwitz — an offer he later retracted for one of the students involved after he denied accountability. Philadelphia police are investigating the matter.

Tessa Veksler, former student body president at UC Santa Barbara and UCSB Hillel leader, faced antisemitic harassment after speaking out against the October 7th Hamas attack. She responded by launching the viral hashtag #We’reNotGoingAnywhere, documenting the hate she received and galvanizing support. Veksler now works in strategic communications, speaks nationwide, and is running for a seat on the World Zionist Congress, all while continuing to advocate for Jewish college students and Israel on a global stage.