Department of Education launches probe into antisemitism at San Jose State, SF State

August 7, 2026 - 10:23

The U.S. Department of Education has launched formal civil rights investigations into San Jose State University and San Francisco State University, citing allegations that both campuses failed to address a surge in antisemitic harassment against Jewish students. The probes, announced this week, fall under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in federally funded programs.

According to the department's Office for Civil Rights, the complaints allege that university administrators did not adequately respond to incidents of harassment, including verbal abuse, vandalism, and disruptions of campus events. The investigations will examine whether the schools created or tolerated a hostile environment for Jewish students, particularly during pro-Palestinian protests that escalated after the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.

San Jose State has faced scrutiny over a campus chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, which some Jewish groups say has crossed the line from political advocacy into targeted intimidation. At SF State, a long history of tensions over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has resurfaced, with recent reports of students being barred from entering certain campus spaces and facing online doxxing.

Both universities have stated they are cooperating fully with the review and emphasized their commitment to combating all forms of hate. However, Jewish student organizations argue that administrative responses have been slow and inconsistent, leaving many students feeling unsafe. The Education Department's action is part of a broader federal push, with dozens of similar probes now open at colleges nationwide. No timeline has been set for a final ruling, but schools found in violation risk losing federal funding.