U.S. Department of Education Investigates Antisemitic Harassment at San Jose State University and San Francisco State University
The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights is investigating San Jose State University and San Francisco State University for allegations of failing to address antisemitic harassment against Jewish students. The investigations will focus on whether the universities violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination in federally funded education programs. Complaints against San Jose State University include threats, exclusion, and a hostile environment for Jewish students, while San Francisco State University faces allegations of faculty members contributing to a hostile environment, antisemitic graffiti, and campus events with speakers linked to extremist groups.
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey emphasized that discrimination has no place on college campuses and stated that the investigations aim to ensure the safety of Jewish students and protect every student's right to an education free from discrimination. The Office for Civil Rights will investigate the allegations to determine if either university violated federal civil rights law.