The U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights is investigating a federal complaint by a group alleging Chapman University failed to take appropriate actions after what the group says were incidents of anti-Semitic harassment and exclusion of Jewish students by the Chapman Students for Justice in Palestine chapter.
Dozens of similar claims have been filed against universities across the country since the surge of pro-Palestinian activism at U.S. universities in recent months has highlighted divisions on campuses.
In its complaint, The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law alleges the Chapman student group – also behind the formation of the Gaza solidarity encampment on campus – denied entry to online and in-person events to several students with “Jewish-sounding surnames.” The center argues the exclusion violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. Chapman receives federal financial assistance.
The complaint also argues Chapman officials should have taken harsher disciplinary measures against a student in the SJP chapter who the center alleges directed online hate speech against a Jewish student. The Brandeis Center argues that although Chapman officials independently investigated the incident, the university’s response was inadequate.
The Department of Education updated its list of ongoing investigations Tuesday morning, reflecting that the investigation into Chapman began on June 7.
“Chapman University cannot comment on an open or pending investigation, but affirm that we are cooperating with the investigation and look forward to working with the Department of Education on a positive outcome,” university spokesperson Molly Thrasher said. “Our university has a longstanding commitment to supporting all members of our community, and we take all allegations of harassment and threats of violence seriously.”
Since Oct. 7, when a Hamas attack on Israel launched months of fighting in the Gaza strip, there has been a sharp uptick in the number of Department of Education Title VI investigations nationally. The department has opened roughly 100 of the investigations into U.S. institutions, including 19 investigations of California universities and colleges.
The Brandeis Center, a nonprofit established to advance the civil rights of Jewish people, is responsible for at least a dozen of them in California and around the U.S., according to a spokesperson.
