The U.S. Department of Education has opened civil rights investigations into complaints of antisemitism at San Jose State and San Francisco State, alleging that the universities have perpetuated harassment and fostered hostile environments for Jewish students on campus.<\/p>\n
The DOE\u2019s Office for Civil Rights is investigating whether the schools, both part of the California State University system, violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits institutions receiving federal funding from discriminating on the basis of race, color or national origin, according to a news release from the department.<\/p>\n
The investigation is predicated on reports made by students at the institutions, with students at SF State describing the atmosphere on campus as one of \u201cintimidation, exclusion, and fear,\u201d officials said. Alleged incidents range from antisemitic grafitti on campus to physical attacks on Jewish students.<\/p>\n
\u201cDiscrimination has no place on college campuses. The same California leaders who wax eloquent about their commitment to \u2018equity\u2019 and \u2018social justice\u2019 appear to turn their backs on violent, harmful acts of antisemitic intimidation and harassment,\u201d Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey said in a news release. \u201cWe will investigate these allegations, ensure the safety of Jewish students, and protect the right of every student in America to an education free from discrimination.\u201d<\/p>\n
The schools have \u201creportedly failed to acknowledge or meaningfully respond\u201d and have appeared \u201ceven to condone such abhorrent acts,\u201d the department added.<\/p>\n
Michelle Smith McDonald, senior director of strategic communications for San Jose State, confirmed that the university is reviewing the allegations made against it for the 2023-2024 academic year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe University treats antisemitic incidents with the utmost seriousness, and has taken numerous actions that prioritize the safety and well-being of all members of our campus community,\u201d she said. \u201cThe University has consistently and repeatedly denounced antisemitism. We will respond through OCR\u2019s investigative process. Providing an environment free of antisemitism and unlawful discrimination in any form remains a top priority. We are committed to fostering an environment where all students and employees can live, learn, work and thrive free from harassment and discrimination.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dave Knutson, a spokesperson for SF State, confirmed that the school and the California State University system had received notice of the investigation, noting that such a probe does not constitute a finding that the university is in violation of federal law. The university is reviewing the allegations and will respond through the investigation process, he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cAntisemitism and discrimination have no place at SFSU,\u201d Knutson said. \u201cWe take the concerns raised by members of our Jewish community seriously and remain committed to ensuring that every member of our community can study, teach, work, and participate in University life free from discrimination and harassment prohibited by law and University policy. For many years, SFSU has formed partnerships to assess and improve the campus climate for SFSU\u2019s Jewish community. We will continue listening to Jewish students, faculty, staff, and campus partners and working to strengthen our prevention, reporting, and response efforts.\u201d<\/p>\n
The investigation comes amid a push by the Trump administration to root out alleged instances of antisemitism at universities nationwide, including a similar investigation launched against UC Berkeley, launched just weeks into Trump\u2019s second term<\/a> as president. The Department of Justice also launched an investigation into the University of California system for allegedly creating an antisemitic work environment<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Department of Education ruled following another investigation earlier this year that San Jose State violated Title IX by allowing a transgender athlete to play on the women\u2019s volleyball team<\/a>, prompting the university to file a lawsuit against the department alleging that the agency\u2019s threats to cut off the school\u2019s funding were unlawful<\/a>.<\/p>\n The department alleges that Jewish students on San Jose State\u2019s campus have faced threats and shunning, and have been made to \u201cfeel unwelcome in classrooms because of their Jewish ancestry.\u201d The campus has allegedly seen an increase in physical attacks on Jewish students and instances of anti-Israel protests interrupting class since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas.<\/p>\n Investigators also cite an email sent by the university\u2019s vice president for student affairs and former interim chief diversity officer in which they allegedly \u201cmade the distinction between \u2018good Jews\u2019 and \u2018bad Jews\u2019 based on their support of the Israeli government.\u201d<\/p>\n Smith McDonald added that the statement about Jewish individuals that the DOE attributed to an administrator \u201cwas never made by any representative of the University.\u201d<\/p>\n The investigation further alleges that faculty at SF State have created a \u201chostile environment\u201d for Jewish students, officials said. Alleged incidents on campus have included antisemitic graffiti and attempted break-ins that have targeted Jewish students.<\/p>\n The department said that SF State\u2019s Arab and Muslim Ethnicities and Diasporas program allegedly held events featuring \u201cextremists with terrorist group ties.\u201d The campus presence of the last U.S.-based chapter of the General Union of Palestine Students, a student organization, reinforces the hostile campus environment, officials added.<\/p>\n Tali Klima, spokesperson for the Bay Area Jewish Coalition, an organization focused on combating local antisemitism, including in schools and universities, applauded the investigation into an \u201centrenched pattern\u201d of antisemitism, which they have \u201cheard so much about from both students and faculty at these universities.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe involvement of the federal government to quell the epidemic of antisemitism on these campuses has, unfortunately, been necessary because school administrators have abdicated their responsibility to entire swaths of their respective communities,\u201d Klima said. \u201cMoreover, allowing such hate to permeate the universities has had wide-reaching effects, including the sense of safety of the larger Jewish community, lessons taught in neighboring K-12 schools, and curriculum within teacher credentialing programs at these universities.\u201d<\/p>\n Both universities and K-12 school districts have been the subjects of investigations and lawsuits alleging antisemitism on campus. UC Berkeley rescinded rules barring speakers who support Zionism from student-hosted events<\/a> as part of a $1 million settlement earlier this year. In February, two Jewish advocacy organizations sued the State of California for allegedly failing to prevent antisemitic harassment against Jewish students in K-12 schools across the state<\/a>.<\/p>\n