Two prominent California institutions UC Berkeley and Pomona College have reached settlements following complaints of antisemitism filed by Jewish students and advocacy groups. The complaints, submitted under federal civil rights laws, alleged that Jewish students faced harassment and exclusion amid rising tensions tied to Middle East-related campus protests.
The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights oversaw the investigations, which revealed concerns about how both colleges handled reports of discrimination and antisemitic behavior. Students cited incidents where they felt unsafe or marginalized, especially during protests involving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The settlements do not admit wrongdoing but commit the colleges to taking concrete corrective action.
As part of the agreements, UC Berkeley and Pomona College will revise campus policies, increase staff training, and offer educational programs aimed at combating religious and ethnic bias. They also pledged to establish clearer procedures for addressing complaints related to antisemitism and to foster inclusive campus climates.
Both institutions emphasized their dedication to student safety and free expression, while also recognizing the need to act firmly against hate and harassment. The settlements signal a broader push by federal authorities to hold colleges accountable for ensuring environments free from religious discrimination.
This development comes amid growing national scrutiny of how U.S. universities manage campus discourse on Israel and Palestine, especially in the wake of global conflicts. The Education Department has seen a surge in Title VI complaints from Jewish, Muslim, and Arab students in recent months.
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