The University of Minnesota has a Hillel, Chabad, and Jewish Greek life.

Litigation & Investigations

In January 2024, the U.S. Department of Education announced an investigation into claims of antisemitism at the University of Minnesota, highlighting concerns about the University's response to incidents on campus.

In February 2025, the Department of Education launched an investigation into alleged antisemitic discrimination at the University of Minnesota. These matters were opened using the Department's power to launch investigations.

In March 2025, the University of Minnesota 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 April 2024, flyers displaying messages such as "Nothing but hate for Israel and Zionism" appeared near Coffman Memorial Union, and an anti-Israel encampment was established on campus.

In September 2024, graffiti was found on campus that read “Zionists off campus," "The intifada is here" and "Glory to the resistance." That same month a number of anti-Israel groups held a protest, where protesters called for academic boycotts and divestment from Israel. Also in September 2024, an individual gave a book claiming that Zionists perpetrated 9/11 to a staff member at the University of Minnesota Hillel.

Protests continued into October 2024, with students occupying Morrill Hall, demanding BDS and renaming it “Halimy Hall” in their demonstrations. That same month, a mezuzah was ripped from the doorpost of a Jewish student's dorm room.

Alumni and members of the community held an anti-Israel protest outside of Hillel on October 7, 2024.

In November 2024, a student was harassed by an individual who told the student to stop supporting Israel or they will kill them.

In October 2025, at an anti-Israel rally organized by groups including Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Students for a Democratic Society, protesters displayed signs that read "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," a slogan commonly used to call for an end to the Jewish state.

University Policies and Responsive Action

In 2020, the University established the Gopher Equity Project, an online module for all undergraduate students on the Twin Cities campus. The Project is intended to raise awareness and build skills that contribute to a respectful and positive campus community and has sections that explicitly focus on antisemitism. Faculty and instructors are encouraged to host follow-up discussions in the University’s first-year experience courses. In Fall 2023, the University formed an Interfaith Dialogue Working Group.

Beginning in October 2023, Israeli students planning to serve in the Israeli military can take a leave of absence and receive reimbursement for tuition.

In May 2024 the University leadership reached an agreement with anti-Israel protesters, which resulted in the dismantling of a protest encampment on Northrop Mall. The agreement included an opportunity for protest organizers to address the Board of Regents and a pledge by the University to “advocate to the Minneapolis City Attorney for lenient remedies for those previously arrested in connection” with protests on campus.

Members of the University’s administration regularly convene strategic meetings with Jewish faculty and students to address, prevent, and respond to antisemitic incidents and foster a more inclusive environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff. After a Spring 2024 meeting, the administration outlined 10 commitments to fostering a safe, welcoming, and supportive campus. These commitments, all of which have been fulfilled, included supporting the University’s study abroad programs and faculty relationships with Israel; discussing opportunities to enhance student trust in the University’s processes to address bias and harassment; and opening a consistent dialogue between senior leaders and Jewish student leaders. Furthermore, Minnesota Hillel has an antisemitism task force that meets regularly to discuss antisemitism on campus.

In August 2024, the University Board of Regents adopted an institutional neutrality policy, which was protested by anti-Israel students and student groups.

In October 2024, 11 people were arrested and 7 were fined and suspended after University of Minnesota officials released an emergency alert following the occupation of Morrill Hall. The alert stated protesters were "causing property damage and restricting entrance and exit from the building."

In December 2024, the Minneapolis City Council passed a resolution urging the University to rescind any discipline for anti-Israel protestors arrested during the October 2024 protest. This resolution was blocked by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.

The University is participating in Hillel’s Campus Climate Initiative (CCI). In addition, the University has a Bias Response and Referral Network (BRRN), which responds to reports of antisemitism and publishes annual reports that include information about bias incidents on campus. The University also has several other committees that work on improving the campus climate and advancing educational opportunities, including the University of Minnesota Duluth Baeumler-Kaplan Holocaust Commemoration Committee.

The University is planning to launch a mandatory, standalone course on Addressing Antisemitism – required for all students, staff, and faculty – in 2026. To facilitate civil discourse on campus, the University has partnered with Essential Partners and, in October 2025, launched a new strategic roadmap, Elevate Extraordinary 2030. This roadmap deepens the University’s commitment to ensuring that people from all backgrounds experience rich academic experiences and a genuine sense of belonging. Furthermore, the University offers relevant programming through the Bridging Beliefs Project, the Constructive Dialogue Initiative and the Duluth Campus Constructive Dialogue Work Group.

The University of Minnesota has a Hillel, Chabad, and Jewish Greek life.

Litigation & Investigations

In January 2024, the U.S. Department of Education announced an investigation into claims of antisemitism at the University of Minnesota, highlighting concerns about the University's response to incidents on campus.

In February 2025, the Department of Education launched an investigation into alleged antisemitic discrimination at the University of Minnesota. These matters were opened using the Department's power to launch investigations.

In March 2025, the University of Minnesota 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 April 2024, flyers displaying messages such as "Nothing but hate for Israel and Zionism" appeared near Coffman Memorial Union, and an anti-Israel encampment was established on campus.

In September 2024, graffiti was found on campus that read “Zionists off campus," "The intifada is here" and "Glory to the resistance." That same month a number of anti-Israel groups held a protest, where protesters called for academic boycotts and divestment from Israel. Also in September 2024, an individual gave a book claiming that Zionists perpetrated 9/11 to a staff member at the University of Minnesota Hillel.

Protests continued into October 2024, with students occupying Morrill Hall, demanding BDS and renaming it “Halimy Hall” in their demonstrations. That same month, a mezuzah was ripped from the doorpost of a Jewish student's dorm room.

Alumni and members of the community held an anti-Israel protest outside of Hillel on October 7, 2024.

In November 2024, a student was harassed by an individual who told the student to stop supporting Israel or they will kill them.

In October 2025, at an anti-Israel rally organized by groups including Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Students for a Democratic Society, protesters displayed signs that read "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," a slogan commonly used to call for an end to the Jewish state.

University Policies and Responsive Action

In 2020, the University established the Gopher Equity Project, an online module for all undergraduate students on the Twin Cities campus. The Project is intended to raise awareness and build skills that contribute to a respectful and positive campus community and has sections that explicitly focus on antisemitism. Faculty and instructors are encouraged to host follow-up discussions in the University’s first-year experience courses. In Fall 2023, the University formed an Interfaith Dialogue Working Group.

Beginning in October 2023, Israeli students planning to serve in the Israeli military can take a leave of absence and receive reimbursement for tuition.

In May 2024 the University leadership reached an agreement with anti-Israel protesters, which resulted in the dismantling of a protest encampment on Northrop Mall. The agreement included an opportunity for protest organizers to address the Board of Regents and a pledge by the University to “advocate to the Minneapolis City Attorney for lenient remedies for those previously arrested in connection” with protests on campus.

Members of the University’s administration regularly convene strategic meetings with Jewish faculty and students to address, prevent, and respond to antisemitic incidents and foster a more inclusive environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff. After a Spring 2024 meeting, the administration outlined 10 commitments to fostering a safe, welcoming, and supportive campus. These commitments, all of which have been fulfilled, included supporting the University’s study abroad programs and faculty relationships with Israel; discussing opportunities to enhance student trust in the University’s processes to address bias and harassment; and opening a consistent dialogue between senior leaders and Jewish student leaders. Furthermore, Minnesota Hillel has an antisemitism task force that meets regularly to discuss antisemitism on campus.

In August 2024, the University Board of Regents adopted an institutional neutrality policy, which was protested by anti-Israel students and student groups.

In October 2024, 11 people were arrested and 7 were fined and suspended after University of Minnesota officials released an emergency alert following the occupation of Morrill Hall. The alert stated protesters were "causing property damage and restricting entrance and exit from the building."

In December 2024, the Minneapolis City Council passed a resolution urging the University to rescind any discipline for anti-Israel protestors arrested during the October 2024 protest. This resolution was blocked by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.

The University is participating in Hillel’s Campus Climate Initiative (CCI). In addition, the University has a Bias Response and Referral Network (BRRN), which responds to reports of antisemitism and publishes annual reports that include information about bias incidents on campus. The University also has several other committees that work on improving the campus climate and advancing educational opportunities, including the University of Minnesota Duluth Baeumler-Kaplan Holocaust Commemoration Committee.

The University is planning to launch a mandatory, standalone course on Addressing Antisemitism – required for all students, staff, and faculty – in 2026. To facilitate civil discourse on campus, the University has partnered with Essential Partners and, in October 2025, launched a new strategic roadmap, Elevate Extraordinary 2030. This roadmap deepens the University’s commitment to ensuring that people from all backgrounds experience rich academic experiences and a genuine sense of belonging. Furthermore, the University offers relevant programming through the Bridging Beliefs Project, the Constructive Dialogue Initiative and the Duluth Campus Constructive Dialogue Work Group.