The University of Washington (UW) has a Hillel, Chabad, Jewish Greek life, and the Stroum Center for Jewish Studies.

Litigation & Investigations

In November 2023, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights opened a Title VI investigation into UW.

In October 2024, The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law filed a Title VI complaint against UW, alleging the institution's insufficient response to antisemitic incidents.

In March 2025, University of Washington was one of the 60 schools that received a letter from the Department of Education accusing them of violating Title VI. In May 2025, the Departments of Education (ED), Health and Human Services (HHS), and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced a review of incidents of antisemitism at the University of Washington.

What’s Happening on Campus?

In May 2024, antisemitic and anti-Zionist graffiti was discovered on the UW campus. That same month, the Associated Students of UW passed a resolution advocating for the University to divest from Israel, and an anti-Israel encampment was established on campus.

In September 2024, a meeting of the UW Board of Regents was disrupted by masked protesters interrupting Jewish speakers.

In November 2024, perpetrators were seen vandalizing the University president's home and car with antisemitic and anti-Zionist graffiti.

In April 2025, Students United for Palestinian Equal Rights (SUPER) distributed antisemitic propaganda and sold antisemitic merchandise on campus, including T-shirts that depicted images from the 2023 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel and Abu Obaida, a Hamas spokesperson.

In May 2025, anti-Israel protestors temporarily occupied the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building at UW in protest against the University's ties to Boeing. About 30 protestors were taken into custody after setting a fire and entering the building.

In September 2025, during a student organization fair, an individual harassed a group staffing the Chabad table with antisemitic comments, including blaming Jews for the Holocaust and the war in Gaza. In October 2025, an individual disrupted a lecture by shouting insults and performing a Nazi salute.

University Policies and Responsive Action

In May 2024, the anti-Israel encampment was dismantled after the University negotiated a resolution with the protestors, including committing to establishing policies and procedures for divestment requests.

In March 2024, the University established task forces on antisemitism and Islamophobia. The final reports from the University’s task forces on antisemitism and Islamophobia, released in November 2024, found that the University failed to ensure all members of the community felt welcome and made a series of recommendations for the University to implement.

Following the September 2024 Board of Regents meeting disruption, the University released a statement denouncing the protesters' actions and affirming its commitment to civil discourse.

In 2025, the University partnered with the Academic Engagement Network to develop and deliver an antisemitism education training. The training was required for staff in the Civil Rights Compliance Office as well as Human Resource Consultants. Furthermore, in early 2025, the University retained the services of external advisors to the administration on issues related to Title VI, antisemitism and bias, and the Jewish community.

In May 2025, the University released a statement about the occupation of the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building, noting that all those who were arrested would be referred to the King County Prosecutor’s Office and any students would also be referred to the Student Conduct Office. In Spring 2025, the University also conducted a university-wide climate assessment, with the findings being used to inform the University’s work to ameliorate the campus climate.

The University President has established a Civil Rights Steering Committee. Chaired by the Assistant Vice President for Civil Rights Compliance, and comprised of leadership from across the University, the committee works to provide strategic guidance and oversight of the University’s coordinated system of policies, programs, and services that protect educational access, and prevent and respond to discrimination, violence, and harassment based on protected characteristics.

In January 2026, the University launched a new required course for all students and employees: Understanding Civil Rights (UCR). The course explores civil rights with a focus on the protections based on race, color, or national origin (including examples related to Zionism and Israel). The course explains what conduct UW policy prohibits, discusses support and resources to address concerning conduct, and highlights employee reporting obligations.

In addition, the University promotes civil discourse on difficult topics through the Tri-Campus UW Dialogue Initiative, which provides opportunities for students to learn and practice meaningful discourse. The UW Bothell Campus Library also maintains an Informed Civic Engagement Resource Guide that centers civil discourse.

As part of a strategic effort to deepen and broaden the engagement with the Jewish community, the University's Vice President and Chief Compliance and Risk Officer has spearheaded the University administration’s efforts to cultivate strong relationships with various Jewish organizations. As a result, UW’s Civil Rights Compliance Office staff and administrators have participated in ADL education webinars and incorporated recommendations into their practices and procedures, and Hillel has worked directly with certain departments to raise awareness of antisemitism.

The University of Washington (UW) has a Hillel, Chabad, Jewish Greek life, and the Stroum Center for Jewish Studies.

Litigation & Investigations

In November 2023, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights opened a Title VI investigation into UW.

In October 2024, The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law filed a Title VI complaint against UW, alleging the institution's insufficient response to antisemitic incidents.

In March 2025, University of Washington was one of the 60 schools that received a letter from the Department of Education accusing them of violating Title VI. In May 2025, the Departments of Education (ED), Health and Human Services (HHS), and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced a review of incidents of antisemitism at the University of Washington.

What’s Happening on Campus?

In May 2024, antisemitic and anti-Zionist graffiti was discovered on the UW campus. That same month, the Associated Students of UW passed a resolution advocating for the University to divest from Israel, and an anti-Israel encampment was established on campus.

In September 2024, a meeting of the UW Board of Regents was disrupted by masked protesters interrupting Jewish speakers.

In November 2024, perpetrators were seen vandalizing the University president's home and car with antisemitic and anti-Zionist graffiti.

In April 2025, Students United for Palestinian Equal Rights (SUPER) distributed antisemitic propaganda and sold antisemitic merchandise on campus, including T-shirts that depicted images from the 2023 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel and Abu Obaida, a Hamas spokesperson.

In May 2025, anti-Israel protestors temporarily occupied the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building at UW in protest against the University's ties to Boeing. About 30 protestors were taken into custody after setting a fire and entering the building.

In September 2025, during a student organization fair, an individual harassed a group staffing the Chabad table with antisemitic comments, including blaming Jews for the Holocaust and the war in Gaza. In October 2025, an individual disrupted a lecture by shouting insults and performing a Nazi salute.

University Policies and Responsive Action

In May 2024, the anti-Israel encampment was dismantled after the University negotiated a resolution with the protestors, including committing to establishing policies and procedures for divestment requests.

In March 2024, the University established task forces on antisemitism and Islamophobia. The final reports from the University’s task forces on antisemitism and Islamophobia, released in November 2024, found that the University failed to ensure all members of the community felt welcome and made a series of recommendations for the University to implement.

Following the September 2024 Board of Regents meeting disruption, the University released a statement denouncing the protesters' actions and affirming its commitment to civil discourse.

In 2025, the University partnered with the Academic Engagement Network to develop and deliver an antisemitism education training. The training was required for staff in the Civil Rights Compliance Office as well as Human Resource Consultants. Furthermore, in early 2025, the University retained the services of external advisors to the administration on issues related to Title VI, antisemitism and bias, and the Jewish community.

In May 2025, the University released a statement about the occupation of the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building, noting that all those who were arrested would be referred to the King County Prosecutor’s Office and any students would also be referred to the Student Conduct Office. In Spring 2025, the University also conducted a university-wide climate assessment, with the findings being used to inform the University’s work to ameliorate the campus climate.

The University President has established a Civil Rights Steering Committee. Chaired by the Assistant Vice President for Civil Rights Compliance, and comprised of leadership from across the University, the committee works to provide strategic guidance and oversight of the University’s coordinated system of policies, programs, and services that protect educational access, and prevent and respond to discrimination, violence, and harassment based on protected characteristics.

In January 2026, the University launched a new required course for all students and employees: Understanding Civil Rights (UCR). The course explores civil rights with a focus on the protections based on race, color, or national origin (including examples related to Zionism and Israel). The course explains what conduct UW policy prohibits, discusses support and resources to address concerning conduct, and highlights employee reporting obligations.

In addition, the University promotes civil discourse on difficult topics through the Tri-Campus UW Dialogue Initiative, which provides opportunities for students to learn and practice meaningful discourse. The UW Bothell Campus Library also maintains an Informed Civic Engagement Resource Guide that centers civil discourse.

As part of a strategic effort to deepen and broaden the engagement with the Jewish community, the University's Vice President and Chief Compliance and Risk Officer has spearheaded the University administration’s efforts to cultivate strong relationships with various Jewish organizations. As a result, UW’s Civil Rights Compliance Office staff and administrators have participated in ADL education webinars and incorporated recommendations into their practices and procedures, and Hillel has worked directly with certain departments to raise awareness of antisemitism.