Combating antisemitism

UC has taken significant action to end antisemitism on campus

Following October 7, conflict spread at universities across the country. It tested the limits of our traditional approach to de-escalation and public safety. The University of California has reflected on where we fell short last spring and how the University can do better moving forward. UC has worked diligently in partnership with Jewish community members, lawmakers, campus leaders, students and faculty to develop actionable plans to ensure similar events never happen again. We remain committed to fostering an environment where every member of our community is safe and welcome.

UC leaders have instituted comprehensive reforms and programs to promote safety and combat all forms of harassment and discrimination, including antisemitism, on our campuses.

“Let us be clear: There is no place for hate, bigotry, or intimidation at the University of California. Period. Antisemitism is antithetical to our values and our campus codes of conduct and is unacceptable under our principles of community. It will not be tolerated.”

— University of California President Michael V. Drake, M.D., and the 10 University of California chancellors

Strengthening policies

  • UC launched a systemwide civil rights office and implemented the systemwide Anti-Discrimination Policy prohibiting discrimination and harassment based on religion, national or ethnic origin, and ancestry, including actual or perceived shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics, or citizenship or residency in a country with a dominant religion or distinct religious identity, including antisemitism.

  • Made concrete policy and procedural changes including the restructuring of campus safety procedures, clarifying policies impacting free expression activities, and adhering to disciplinary processes aligned with the updated policies.

  • Issued clear and consistent policy requirements regarding expressive activities, such as protests at UC locations.

  • Provided guidance to UC chancellors about sharing campus climate resources and policies for students, faculty, and staff.

  • Reviewing and consolidating safety and policing policies to enhance accessibility and clarity. 

  • Reviewing and updating University policies and procedures relevant to student and faculty conduct and discipline, including with respect to allegations of antisemitism.

Providing training

The UC Office of the President held systemwide and campus-specific leadership trainings to support decision making when responding to disruptive events, including incidents of antisemitic harassment.

  • The Systemwide Office of Civil Rights has provided Title VI/Anti-Discrimination Policy training to Local Implementation Officers and investigative staff and is developing training for campus police and safety officers.

  • UC is complying with AB 2925, which requests any trainings addressing antidiscrimination include the five most targeted groups in the state as determined in the state Attorney General’s annual “Hate Crime in California” report (pdf).

  • UC is working to implement SB 1287 and already offers mandatory training for students to recognize what constitutes discrimination and harassment based on protected categories, including shared Jewish ancestry.

Reporting incidents

Antisemitism and all other forms of hate are unacceptable at UC locations and in our programs and activities. UC expects members of our community to fully adhere to policies and laws. Our campuses have robust reporting and investigation processes in place, and impacted individuals may access supportive measures even if they do not file a complaint or request an investigation.

Incident reporting form

Education initiatives

The systemwide Office of the President designated $7 million to support initiatives across the system addressing antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of bias, bigotry, and discrimination. Efforts include emergency mental health and trauma support for students, faculty, and staff; voluntary extracurricular educational programming; and training and professional development for leaders, faculty, and staff.

The UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement developed webinars, programs and resources to educate the UC community about the First Amendment, Title VI, academic freedom and campus safety, and protest management, including an updated Toolkit to Prepare for and Manage Major Campus Events or Incidents (pdf).

The UC Office of the President introduced the UC Campus Climate Initiative in August of 2024 with the aim of maintaining safe, respectful, and inclusive campuses, and improving the University’s preparation for and consistency in addressing events and incidents.

Partnership with Hillel International

UC participates in Hillel International's Campus Climate Initiative. With involvement by senior leaders on all 10 UC campuses, the UC Office of the President has hosted full-day convenings and educational seminars led by Hillel International. Campus teams consult with Hillel staff and work directly with Hillel’s research partner (National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago) to assess campus climate to foster a positive, inclusive, and welcoming campus climate for all students.

Making progress on campus

UC campuses have taken significant steps to combat antisemitism.

Berkeley

  • Developed new initiatives to combat antisemitism, including increased funding to the Antisemitism Education Initiative and mandatory antisemitism training for first-year students, student organization leaders, and Residential Assistants.

  • Affirmed that there will be no divestment from entities that do business with or in Israel. This is consistent with systemwide policy.

  • Created an Israel Studies minor.

  • The Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Jewish Life and Campus Climate (established in 2015) works to maintain a positive campus climate for Jewish students, staff, and faculty. 

  • The Antisemitism Education Initiative (est. 2019) supports faculty and community leaders in their work with campus administrators and student leaders to promote and provide antisemitism awareness and education. The Initiative is based in the Center for Jewish Studies, led by a full-time director, and co-coordinated by the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee, the Center for Jewish Studies, the Berkeley Institute for Jewish Law and Israel Studies, Berkeley Hillel, and the Magnes Collection.

Davis

  • Launched the Addressing Antisemitism website in collaboration with campus and community organizations, including the Jewish Studies Program, the Department of History, the School of Law, and the School of Medicine.

  • Developed the Dynamic Discussions Hub, a digital resource featuring courses and events developed by members of the faculty and campus community to support meaningful dialogue about antisemitism.

  • Chancellor Gary S. May and members of the Chancellor’s Leadership Council participate in the Advisory Council on Jewish Student Life and join in activities — on campus and in the community — that support and celebrate Jewish heritage.

Irvine

  • Became the first UC campus to join the Hillel Campus Climate Initiative, which includes developing a campus climate survey and action plan to address hate and bias on campus.

  • Introduced the Courageous Conversations Series to foster discourse on challenging topics, including Palestinian and Israeli perspectives on the Middle East conflict.

UCLA

  • Launched the Initiative to Combat Antisemitism, which is tasked with bringing together members of the Bruin community and civic leaders from diverse backgrounds, faiths and perspectives to implement policies to combat antisemitism at every level.

  • Rolled out the university’s Four-Point Plan for a Safer, Stronger UCLA outlining enhancements to campus safety, initiatives aimed at fostering dialogue across difference, and mechanisms for self-evaluation, among other policies.

  • The UCLA Nazarian Center for Israel Studies, established in 2010, provides a space for nuanced and informative discourse related to the history and culture of Israel and its people.

Merced

  • Launched a new mini-grant initiative supporting up to 10 proposals per year focused on efforts aimed at addressing bias and bigotry, inclusive of antisemitism and Islamophobia.

  • Promoted webinars and workshops centered on countering bias and bigotry that included Roots: Changing the Conversation Around Conflict and a series from the Academic Engagement Network (AEN), an organization focused on increasing knowledge of the diversity of Jewish experience and contemporary manifestations of antisemitism.

Riverside

  • Partnered with Hillel, supported the establishment of the Jewish Faculty and Staff Association, and actively collaborated with organizations that serve the Jewish community and educate on antisemitism.

  • Provided significant funding (with support of the UC Office of the President) to address antisemitism and other bias-related concerns through educational programming, speaker events, and campuswide initiatives aimed at fostering respect and countering bigotry.

  • Developed an annual campus climate management training for leadership and participates in systemwide Campus Climate Initiatives.

San Diego

  • Launched “Tritons Belong” initiative. This includes a partnership with ADL San Diego to provide educational seminars and publicly available resources for students, faculty and staff.

  • Launched in Spring 2025, “Dialogue for Peace: Building Compassion and Understanding Across Difference” encompasses several events and programs, including a professional development training fellowship to empower UC San Diego community members to become compassionate listeners and conflict resolution facilitators through a Peacemaking and Restorative Justice-based curriculum.

  • Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla established an Antisemitism Workgroup charged with reviewing antisemitism concerns at UC San Diego with the aim of fostering a safer, more inclusive and equitable environment for the campus’s Jewish community.

San Francisco

  • Partnered with the Academic Engagement Network to develop a series of required antisemitism trainings for UCSF leadership, departmental diversity leaders, and key campus personnel.

  • Created the Director of Jewish Life position within the Office of Diversity and Outreach to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to address antisemitism at UCSF. The director also supports Jewish faculty, staff, student, and patient communities and will serve as a liaison to Jewish organizations, registered campus organizations, local synagogues, and interfaith groups.

  • Encouraged the formation of UCSF’s Jewish Coalition. This self-organized group of faculty, staff, and students meets regularly with senior leadership to discuss ideas for combating antisemitism and fostering a welcoming environment for Jewish and Israeli members of the UCSF community.

  • Supported the formation of Shalom, a registered campus organization for staff and students focused on confronting antisemitism and supporting Jewish and Israeli members of the UCSF community.

  • Established relationships with San Francisco Hillel and the Jewish Community Relations Council to explore how UCSF can oppose antisemitism and foster a greater sense of belonging for Jewish and Israeli members of the UCSF community.

Santa Barbara

  • Created the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Antisemitism to better understand experiences of anti-Jewish and anti-Israeli hostility and to guide efforts to ensure that there is a safe and inclusive environment on campus for the Jewish and Israeli community.

  • Created a Jewish Commission as a part of Associated Students to support and advocate for Jewish students and to bring greater education on Jewish culture to campus.

  • Faculty and staff are in the process of launching a Jewish employee affinity group to offer support, community, and a space for employees to share their experiences and to facilitate inclusion in the workplace.

  • Participating in the Hillel International Campus Climate Initiative to ensure a positive campus climate in which Jewish students feel comfortable expressing their identities.

Santa Cruz

  • Participated in Hillel International’s Campus Climate Initiative to improve and strengthen a campus climate in which Jewish students feel comfortable expressing their identity free of antisemitism, harassment or marginalization.

  • Developing educational programs on “Histories in Progress,” which explore the diverse stories and cultures of the many communities that make up our state. The inaugural offerings, launching in spring 2025, include Histories and Ideologies of Antisemitism, featuring Dr. Lauren Bairnsfather.

  • Published a new Preventing Antisemitism at UC Santa Cruz webpage with information and resources for the community.

The work continues

Through new systemwide and campus offices, updates to policies, and by providing resources, education, and trainings to community members, UC has taken concrete steps to address antisemitism. These efforts have been recognized by UC’s Jewish community who have expressed appreciation for UC’s significant actions to cultivate a safe and welcoming campus environment.

Our work is not done. As an educational institution, we are committed to a culture of constant learning and improvement as we continue to build a learning environment free of hate, discrimination and harassment.