Swarthmore College has a Chabad.

Litigation & Investigations

In March 2024, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights opened a Title VI investigation at Swarthmore.

In March 2025, Swarthmore College 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, SJP and JVP projected messages onto a campus building with slogans like, “Globalize the intifada,” “How many kids did you kill today?” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” In Spring 2024, the College sponsored a problematic speaker series that compared Gaza to Apartheid South Africa.

In May 2024, a professor attending the on-campus encampment was reported to have said that “Holocaust exceptionalism is rampant” and that Jews benefit from the exaggeration of the Holocaust. Messages reading “Student Intifada” were also found on campus, and protestors took over the stage during a campus concert in order to accuse Israel of committing genocide.

In October 2024, at an anti-Israel rally, protesters displayed signs with messages that included ‘Intifada Until Victory’ and inverted red triangle imagery, a symbol associated with Hamas.

In May 2025, protesters at Swarthmore brought the "Big Chair," a campus fixture, into an anti-Israel encampment and vandalized it with graffiti that read: "Hamas," "Houthis," "Hezbollah," and "Bomb Tel Aviv, not children."

University Policies and Responsive Action

In May 2024, in response to a series of antisemitic vandalism incidents on campus, the administration stated that those found to be involved would face immediate disciplinary action. Later that month, for the first time in its history, the College chose to move commencement off campus.

Religious identity as a basis for hate and bias generally, and antisemitism more specifically, are included in DEI training that is provided for students during new student orientation. The College is planning to mandate DEI training that includes information on antisemitism and religious bias for all students and employees starting in Fall 2026.

In October 2024, the Vice President of Student Affairs released a strong condemnation of students and student organizations who had celebrated the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.

In March 2025, the College barred SJP from organizing events on campus after they posted a message on social media that included a reference to the Ku Klux Klan and was directed toward a Jewish staff member. This came after the group was placed on an interim suspension following a protest in Parrish Hall. Also in March 2025, a student was suspended and 13 others were sanctioned due to participation in previous protests, Code of Conduct violations and involvement in multiple incidents.

In advance of the 2025-26 academic year, Swarthmore updated its anti-discrimination policies to make clear that harassment may include “jokes, innuendo, or perpetuating negative stereotypes about a person on the basis of their Jewish ancestry.”

The College has also joined a new national cohort program to roll out training on dialogue and civil discourse, beginning with student leaders and Resident Assistants and expanding to staff and faculty, with the long-term goal of eventually involving the entire community.

On February 20, 2025, the student group Swarthmore Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) was placed on interim suspension following numerous alleged violations of the Student Code of Conduct. Despite repeated outreach from the administration, the group failed to participate in the conduct process and continued engaging in prohibited behavior. The case was referred to an independent external adjudicator, who found SJP responsible for multiple violations - including bullying and intimidation, discrimination and harassment based on a protected class, disorderly conduct, retaliation, unauthorized use of resources, and property damage. Based on these findings, in September 2025, the College revoked SJP’s affiliation with Swarthmore. This decision permanently bars the group from accessing funding, hosting events, or using campus resources, and prohibits other student organizations from affiliating with it in any capacity.

The College also conducted a campus climate survey in March 2025 that collected information about experiences with discrimination and harassment, including antisemitism.

At the College, the Jewish Student Advisor, a full-time staff position held by a Rabbi, works with a range of staff, faculty, and students towards the goal of strengthening Jewish life on campus.

The College has also recently centralized reporting so that all reports of Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation related to identity-based biases, including religious identity and antisemitism, may be considered when determining the totality of circumstances (e.g., the severity, pervasiveness, and persistence of behaviors) when assessing an individual incident or completing a hostile environment assessment. The Director of Equity & Inclusion/Equal Opportunity Officer - responsible for Title VI and VII compliance - has been tasked with ensuring these assessments are completed and the College responds promptly to any reports. The College has also recently created a compliance assessment team that meets on a weekly basis to consider incoming and ongoing reports. The EO Officer, Title IX Coordinator, Public Safety, Human Resources, Division of Student Affairs (Student Conduct), and Provost’s Office all have representation on this team. 

Swarthmore College has a Chabad.

Litigation & Investigations

In March 2024, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights opened a Title VI investigation at Swarthmore.

In March 2025, Swarthmore College 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, SJP and JVP projected messages onto a campus building with slogans like, “Globalize the intifada,” “How many kids did you kill today?” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” In Spring 2024, the College sponsored a problematic speaker series that compared Gaza to Apartheid South Africa.

In May 2024, a professor attending the on-campus encampment was reported to have said that “Holocaust exceptionalism is rampant” and that Jews benefit from the exaggeration of the Holocaust. Messages reading “Student Intifada” were also found on campus, and protestors took over the stage during a campus concert in order to accuse Israel of committing genocide.

In October 2024, at an anti-Israel rally, protesters displayed signs with messages that included ‘Intifada Until Victory’ and inverted red triangle imagery, a symbol associated with Hamas.

In May 2025, protesters at Swarthmore brought the "Big Chair," a campus fixture, into an anti-Israel encampment and vandalized it with graffiti that read: "Hamas," "Houthis," "Hezbollah," and "Bomb Tel Aviv, not children."

University Policies and Responsive Action

In May 2024, in response to a series of antisemitic vandalism incidents on campus, the administration stated that those found to be involved would face immediate disciplinary action. Later that month, for the first time in its history, the College chose to move commencement off campus.

Religious identity as a basis for hate and bias generally, and antisemitism more specifically, are included in DEI training that is provided for students during new student orientation. The College is planning to mandate DEI training that includes information on antisemitism and religious bias for all students and employees starting in Fall 2026.

In October 2024, the Vice President of Student Affairs released a strong condemnation of students and student organizations who had celebrated the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.

In March 2025, the College barred SJP from organizing events on campus after they posted a message on social media that included a reference to the Ku Klux Klan and was directed toward a Jewish staff member. This came after the group was placed on an interim suspension following a protest in Parrish Hall. Also in March 2025, a student was suspended and 13 others were sanctioned due to participation in previous protests, Code of Conduct violations and involvement in multiple incidents.

In advance of the 2025-26 academic year, Swarthmore updated its anti-discrimination policies to make clear that harassment may include “jokes, innuendo, or perpetuating negative stereotypes about a person on the basis of their Jewish ancestry.”

The College has also joined a new national cohort program to roll out training on dialogue and civil discourse, beginning with student leaders and Resident Assistants and expanding to staff and faculty, with the long-term goal of eventually involving the entire community.

On February 20, 2025, the student group Swarthmore Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) was placed on interim suspension following numerous alleged violations of the Student Code of Conduct. Despite repeated outreach from the administration, the group failed to participate in the conduct process and continued engaging in prohibited behavior. The case was referred to an independent external adjudicator, who found SJP responsible for multiple violations - including bullying and intimidation, discrimination and harassment based on a protected class, disorderly conduct, retaliation, unauthorized use of resources, and property damage. Based on these findings, in September 2025, the College revoked SJP’s affiliation with Swarthmore. This decision permanently bars the group from accessing funding, hosting events, or using campus resources, and prohibits other student organizations from affiliating with it in any capacity.

The College also conducted a campus climate survey in March 2025 that collected information about experiences with discrimination and harassment, including antisemitism.

At the College, the Jewish Student Advisor, a full-time staff position held by a Rabbi, works with a range of staff, faculty, and students towards the goal of strengthening Jewish life on campus.

The College has also recently centralized reporting so that all reports of Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation related to identity-based biases, including religious identity and antisemitism, may be considered when determining the totality of circumstances (e.g., the severity, pervasiveness, and persistence of behaviors) when assessing an individual incident or completing a hostile environment assessment. The Director of Equity & Inclusion/Equal Opportunity Officer - responsible for Title VI and VII compliance - has been tasked with ensuring these assessments are completed and the College responds promptly to any reports. The College has also recently created a compliance assessment team that meets on a weekly basis to consider incoming and ongoing reports. The EO Officer, Title IX Coordinator, Public Safety, Human Resources, Division of Student Affairs (Student Conduct), and Provost’s Office all have representation on this team. 

Swarthmore College has a Chabad.

Litigation & Investigations

In March 2024, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights opened a Title VI investigation at Swarthmore.

In March 2025, Swarthmore College 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, SJP and JVP projected messages onto a campus building with slogans like, “Globalize the intifada,” “How many kids did you kill today?” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” In Spring 2024, the College sponsored a problematic speaker series that compared Gaza to Apartheid South Africa.

In May 2024, a professor attending the on-campus encampment was reported to have said that “Holocaust exceptionalism is rampant” and that Jews benefit from the exaggeration of the Holocaust. Messages reading “Student Intifada” were also found on campus, and protestors took over the stage during a campus concert in order to accuse Israel of committing genocide.

In October 2024, at an anti-Israel rally, protesters displayed signs with messages that included ‘Intifada Until Victory’ and inverted red triangle imagery, a symbol associated with Hamas.

In May 2025, protesters at Swarthmore brought the "Big Chair," a campus fixture, into an anti-Israel encampment and vandalized it with graffiti that read: "Hamas," "Houthis," "Hezbollah," and "Bomb Tel Aviv, not children."

University Policies and Responsive Action

In May 2024, in response to a series of antisemitic vandalism incidents on campus, the administration stated that those found to be involved would face immediate disciplinary action. Later that month, for the first time in its history, the College chose to move commencement off campus.

Religious identity as a basis for hate and bias generally, and antisemitism more specifically, are included in DEI training that is provided for students during new student orientation. The College is planning to mandate DEI training that includes information on antisemitism and religious bias for all students and employees starting in Fall 2026.

In October 2024, the Vice President of Student Affairs released a strong condemnation of students and student organizations who had celebrated the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.

In March 2025, the College barred SJP from organizing events on campus after they posted a message on social media that included a reference to the Ku Klux Klan and was directed toward a Jewish staff member. This came after the group was placed on an interim suspension following a protest in Parrish Hall. Also in March 2025, a student was suspended and 13 others were sanctioned due to participation in previous protests, Code of Conduct violations and involvement in multiple incidents.

In advance of the 2025-26 academic year, Swarthmore updated its anti-discrimination policies to make clear that harassment may include “jokes, innuendo, or perpetuating negative stereotypes about a person on the basis of their Jewish ancestry.”

The College has also joined a new national cohort program to roll out training on dialogue and civil discourse, beginning with student leaders and Resident Assistants and expanding to staff and faculty, with the long-term goal of eventually involving the entire community.

On February 20, 2025, the student group Swarthmore Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) was placed on interim suspension following numerous alleged violations of the Student Code of Conduct. Despite repeated outreach from the administration, the group failed to participate in the conduct process and continued engaging in prohibited behavior. The case was referred to an independent external adjudicator, who found SJP responsible for multiple violations - including bullying and intimidation, discrimination and harassment based on a protected class, disorderly conduct, retaliation, unauthorized use of resources, and property damage. Based on these findings, in September 2025, the College revoked SJP’s affiliation with Swarthmore. This decision permanently bars the group from accessing funding, hosting events, or using campus resources, and prohibits other student organizations from affiliating with it in any capacity.

The College also conducted a campus climate survey in March 2025 that collected information about experiences with discrimination and harassment, including antisemitism.

At the College, the Jewish Student Advisor, a full-time staff position held by a Rabbi, works with a range of staff, faculty, and students towards the goal of strengthening Jewish life on campus.

The College has also recently centralized reporting so that all reports of Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation related to identity-based biases, including religious identity and antisemitism, may be considered when determining the totality of circumstances (e.g., the severity, pervasiveness, and persistence of behaviors) when assessing an individual incident or completing a hostile environment assessment. The Director of Equity & Inclusion/Equal Opportunity Officer - responsible for Title VI and VII compliance - has been tasked with ensuring these assessments are completed and the College responds promptly to any reports. The College has also recently created a compliance assessment team that meets on a weekly basis to consider incoming and ongoing reports. The EO Officer, Title IX Coordinator, Public Safety, Human Resources, Division of Student Affairs (Student Conduct), and Provost’s Office all have representation on this team.