TAMPA, Fla. – The University of South Florida and University of Tampa are among 60 schools nationwide facing an investigation for antisemitic discrimination.
On Monday, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights sent letters to the institutions warning them of potential enforcement actions if they do not fulfill their obligations to protect Jewish students on campus, including uninterrupted access to campus facilities and educational opportunities.
What You Need To Know
- USF, U of Tampa among 60 schools facing an investigation for antisemitic discrimination
- U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights sent letters to the institutions warning them of potential enforcement actions if they do not fulfill their obligations to protect Jewish students on campus
- BACKGROUND: Law enforcement arrest 10 pro-Palestinian protesters at USF (May 1, 2024)
- RELATED STORY: USF students disciplined for protest say appeal was denied
- See the full list of 60 U.S. schools involved
The obligations are outlined in Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
The Civil Rights Act (1964) prohibits any institution that receives federal funds from discriminating based on race, color, and national origin. National origin includes shared (Jewish) ancestry.
The department launched investigations into five universities after “widespread” antisemitic harassment was reported. The five universities are Columbia, Northwestern, Portland State, Cal-Berkley and Minnesota.
The 55 additional universities are under investigation or monitoring in response to complaints filed with OCR.
The investigations are in response to unrest on U.S. college campuses following the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023.
“The Department is deeply disappointed that Jewish students studying on elite U.S. campuses continue to fear for their safety amid the relentless antisemitic eruptions that have severely disrupted campus life for more than a year,” said Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “University leaders must do better.”
The University of Tampa responded by saying an incident on its campus was strictly between two students and was resolved through a student conduct process.
“The University has fully complied with the OCR review to date,” the school’s released statement said. “UTampa is committed to being an inclusive learning community, and condemns any form of discrimination, racism or any other form of hate.”
Multiple days of unrest broke out on the USF campus last year and other universities nationwide, including in May, when police cleared out pro-Palestinian protesters on the USF campus with tear gas.
Police arrested 10 protesters, included one person that was armed.
USF responded to letter by stressing its goals to provide a safe, supportive campus as well as point to its policies on discrimination and harrassment.
Read the complete USF response here:
The University of South Florida strives to provide an environment free from discrimination or harassment on any basis, including religious beliefs. As we have reaffirmed numerous times, antisemitism has no place in our society and will not be tolerated on our campuses.
USF continues to take steps to ensure that the university is a safe, supportive and welcoming place for our students, faculty, staff and others. In advance of the Fall 2024 semester, we updated our policy on discrimination and harassment to explicitly prohibit antisemitism, along with all other instances of hateful expression targeting individuals because of their religion, shared ancestry or cultural heritage. We also updated our policy on events to avoid disruptions to the learning environment and campus operations.
USF is currently participating in Hillel International’s flagship Campus Climate Initiative, a training and engagement initiative for college and university administrators, designed to address the rise of antisemitism on campuses.
USF will continue to closely partner with members of our community to counter antisemitism.
