Cornell University has a Hillel, Chabad, Jewish Greek life organizations, and the Center for Jewish Living, a student-run residence hall program offering religious services, kosher food, and social programming.

Litigation & Investigations

Incidents of antisemitism and other forms of discrimination and harassment prompted the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights to open a Title VI investigation against Cornell in November 2023.

In March 2025, Cornell University was one of the 60 schools that received a letter from the Department of Education accusing them of violating Title VI.

What’s Happening on Campus?

In February 2024, Cornell University’s Student Assembly, an undergraduate governing body, rejected a resolution accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza and demanding that school officials “divest” from Israel.

In September 2024, a Cornell professor who took a hiatus from teaching after claiming that the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel was “exhilarating” resumed teaching at the University. That same month, Cornell University's Hillel received two emails from unknown sources reading: "F*** You."

In April 2025, a series of antisemitic messages were posted on an anonymous social media app associated with Cornell after the artist Kehlani's invitation to perform at the school was revoked. The messages included: "Hoping they choose an actual Hamas soldier to replace Khelani (prayer emoji)," "Kanye for slope day at this point" and "If the jewish parents ruin slope day for us im going to lose my mind. they have too much of a say on this campus."

In September 2025, a spoofed email impersonating Cornell’s president was sent to students at the school newspaper and contained graphic death threats against Jewish and LGBTQ+ students, describing the threats as "the consequences of investing in war instruments of genocide/death in Palestine."

In October 2025, an anti-Israel op-ed was published in a student newspaper at Cornell University that included a drawing of an SS symbol inside a Star of David. That same month, YikYak users posted antisemitic and anti-Zionist comments regarding a Jewish student at Cornell.

Also in October 2025, Professor Eric Cheyfitz retired after facing a two-semester suspension without pay after an investigation found he violated federal anti-discrimination law when he allegedly asked an Israeli graduate student to leave his course on Gaza.

University Policies and Responsive Action

An external advisory group has advised the administration, issuing a set of recommendations to counter antisemitism in May 2024, which have been implemented by the University. These recommendations included expanding orientation programming about antisemitism and civil discourse and improving the campus climate survey to better assess student experiences with bias.

Cornell also released a new policy clarifying that protests may not compromise the safety of others or interfere with University operations, and a policy forbidding the release of personal information of students or staff used or intended to threaten or intimidate others. The school has also spoken out against professors promoting personal beliefs in class.

In May 2024, an 18-day encampment led to the suspension of six students, but no major incidents or arrests took place. Following the end of the encampment, then-President Pollack was criticized for expressing gratitude to the protestors for remaining peaceful.

Cornell has developed a Pathway to Peace program, which seeks to engage a wide range of students, faculty, and community members in constructive dialogue about pathways and obstacles to peace. Cornell’s Interfaith Council similarly seeks to promote interfaith dialogue and support religious life on campus, while encouraging shared understanding. Furthermore, Cornell offers and has added academic courses addressing modern history of the Middle East and antisemitism.

The University has also created a dedicated section on Fighting Antisemitism and Protecting Civil Rights on the President’s Initiatives page of its website, prominently signaling a no-tolerance policy for antisemitism.

In addition, Cornell has invested in education and training. University staff have participated in ADL trainings, while faculty engaged in the Brandeis University Summer Institute on Antisemitism in Higher Education in June 2025, further building institutional expertise. Cornell also created and disseminated training on Title VI. This training is highly recommended to current Cornell students, staff, and faculty.

In June 2025, Cornell launched the new Cornell Office of Civil Rights (COCR), reorganizing and expanding Title VI enforcement. With additional staff dedicated to investigating alleged bias incidents, including antisemitism, the COCR strengthens the university’s ability to ensure accountability and compliance with federal civil rights law. Cornell has also announced the building of a new Hillel facility, expected to open in summer 2027, which will provide a dedicated home for Jewish student life, religious identity, and community-building.

Cornell University has a Hillel, Chabad, Jewish Greek life organizations, and the Center for Jewish Living, a student-run residence hall program offering religious services, kosher food, and social programming.

Litigation & Investigations

Incidents of antisemitism and other forms of discrimination and harassment prompted the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights to open a Title VI investigation against Cornell in November 2023.

In March 2025, Cornell University was one of the 60 schools that received a letter from the Department of Education accusing them of violating Title VI.

What’s Happening on Campus?

In February 2024, Cornell University’s Student Assembly, an undergraduate governing body, rejected a resolution accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza and demanding that school officials “divest” from Israel.

In September 2024, a Cornell professor who took a hiatus from teaching after claiming that the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel was “exhilarating” resumed teaching at the University. That same month, Cornell University's Hillel received two emails from unknown sources reading: "F*** You."

In April 2025, a series of antisemitic messages were posted on an anonymous social media app associated with Cornell after the artist Kehlani's invitation to perform at the school was revoked. The messages included: "Hoping they choose an actual Hamas soldier to replace Khelani (prayer emoji)," "Kanye for slope day at this point" and "If the jewish parents ruin slope day for us im going to lose my mind. they have too much of a say on this campus."

In September 2025, a spoofed email impersonating Cornell’s president was sent to students at the school newspaper and contained graphic death threats against Jewish and LGBTQ+ students, describing the threats as "the consequences of investing in war instruments of genocide/death in Palestine."

In October 2025, an anti-Israel op-ed was published in a student newspaper at Cornell University that included a drawing of an SS symbol inside a Star of David. That same month, YikYak users posted antisemitic and anti-Zionist comments regarding a Jewish student at Cornell.

Also in October 2025, Professor Eric Cheyfitz retired after facing a two-semester suspension without pay after an investigation found he violated federal anti-discrimination law when he allegedly asked an Israeli graduate student to leave his course on Gaza.

University Policies and Responsive Action

An external advisory group has advised the administration, issuing a set of recommendations to counter antisemitism in May 2024, which have been implemented by the University. These recommendations included expanding orientation programming about antisemitism and civil discourse and improving the campus climate survey to better assess student experiences with bias.

Cornell also released a new policy clarifying that protests may not compromise the safety of others or interfere with University operations, and a policy forbidding the release of personal information of students or staff used or intended to threaten or intimidate others. The school has also spoken out against professors promoting personal beliefs in class.

In May 2024, an 18-day encampment led to the suspension of six students, but no major incidents or arrests took place. Following the end of the encampment, then-President Pollack was criticized for expressing gratitude to the protestors for remaining peaceful.

Cornell has developed a Pathway to Peace program, which seeks to engage a wide range of students, faculty, and community members in constructive dialogue about pathways and obstacles to peace. Cornell’s Interfaith Council similarly seeks to promote interfaith dialogue and support religious life on campus, while encouraging shared understanding. Furthermore, Cornell offers and has added academic courses addressing modern history of the Middle East and antisemitism.

The University has also created a dedicated section on Fighting Antisemitism and Protecting Civil Rights on the President’s Initiatives page of its website, prominently signaling a no-tolerance policy for antisemitism.

In addition, Cornell has invested in education and training. University staff have participated in ADL trainings, while faculty engaged in the Brandeis University Summer Institute on Antisemitism in Higher Education in June 2025, further building institutional expertise. Cornell also created and disseminated training on Title VI. This training is highly recommended to current Cornell students, staff, and faculty.

In June 2025, Cornell launched the new Cornell Office of Civil Rights (COCR), reorganizing and expanding Title VI enforcement. With additional staff dedicated to investigating alleged bias incidents, including antisemitism, the COCR strengthens the university’s ability to ensure accountability and compliance with federal civil rights law. Cornell has also announced the building of a new Hillel facility, expected to open in summer 2027, which will provide a dedicated home for Jewish student life, religious identity, and community-building.

Cornell University has a Hillel, Chabad, Jewish Greek life organizations, and the Center for Jewish Living, a student-run residence hall program offering religious services, kosher food, and social programming.

Litigation & Investigations

Incidents of antisemitism and other forms of discrimination and harassment prompted the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights to open a Title VI investigation against Cornell in November 2023.

In March 2025, Cornell University was one of the 60 schools that received a letter from the Department of Education accusing them of violating Title VI.

What’s Happening on Campus?

In February 2024, Cornell University’s Student Assembly, an undergraduate governing body, rejected a resolution accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza and demanding that school officials “divest” from Israel.

In September 2024, a Cornell professor who took a hiatus from teaching after claiming that the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel was “exhilarating” resumed teaching at the University. That same month, Cornell University's Hillel received two emails from unknown sources reading: "F*** You."

In April 2025, a series of antisemitic messages were posted on an anonymous social media app associated with Cornell after the artist Kehlani's invitation to perform at the school was revoked. The messages included: "Hoping they choose an actual Hamas soldier to replace Khelani (prayer emoji)," "Kanye for slope day at this point" and "If the jewish parents ruin slope day for us im going to lose my mind. they have too much of a say on this campus."

In September 2025, a spoofed email impersonating Cornell’s president was sent to students at the school newspaper and contained graphic death threats against Jewish and LGBTQ+ students, describing the threats as "the consequences of investing in war instruments of genocide/death in Palestine."

In October 2025, an anti-Israel op-ed was published in a student newspaper at Cornell University that included a drawing of an SS symbol inside a Star of David. That same month, YikYak users posted antisemitic and anti-Zionist comments regarding a Jewish student at Cornell.

Also in October 2025, Professor Eric Cheyfitz retired after facing a two-semester suspension without pay after an investigation found he violated federal anti-discrimination law when he allegedly asked an Israeli graduate student to leave his course on Gaza.

University Policies and Responsive Action

An external advisory group has advised the administration, issuing a set of recommendations to counter antisemitism in May 2024, which have been implemented by the University. These recommendations included expanding orientation programming about antisemitism and civil discourse and improving the campus climate survey to better assess student experiences with bias.

Cornell also released a new policy clarifying that protests may not compromise the safety of others or interfere with University operations, and a policy forbidding the release of personal information of students or staff used or intended to threaten or intimidate others. The school has also spoken out against professors promoting personal beliefs in class.

In May 2024, an 18-day encampment led to the suspension of six students, but no major incidents or arrests took place. Following the end of the encampment, then-President Pollack was criticized for expressing gratitude to the protestors for remaining peaceful.

Cornell has developed a Pathway to Peace program, which seeks to engage a wide range of students, faculty, and community members in constructive dialogue about pathways and obstacles to peace. Cornell’s Interfaith Council similarly seeks to promote interfaith dialogue and support religious life on campus, while encouraging shared understanding. Furthermore, Cornell offers and has added academic courses addressing modern history of the Middle East and antisemitism.

The University has also created a dedicated section on Fighting Antisemitism and Protecting Civil Rights on the President’s Initiatives page of its website, prominently signaling a no-tolerance policy for antisemitism.

In addition, Cornell has invested in education and training. University staff have participated in ADL trainings, while faculty engaged in the Brandeis University Summer Institute on Antisemitism in Higher Education in June 2025, further building institutional expertise. Cornell also created and disseminated training on Title VI. This training is highly recommended to current Cornell students, staff, and faculty.

In June 2025, Cornell launched the new Cornell Office of Civil Rights (COCR), reorganizing and expanding Title VI enforcement. With additional staff dedicated to investigating alleged bias incidents, including antisemitism, the COCR strengthens the university’s ability to ensure accountability and compliance with federal civil rights law. Cornell has also announced the building of a new Hillel facility, expected to open in summer 2027, which will provide a dedicated home for Jewish student life, religious identity, and community-building.