The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights opened formal investigations into San Jose State University and San Francisco State University on Aug. 6 over allegations of antisemitic harassment that created a hostile environment for Jewish students.
The dual investigations put federal funding at risk for two major California public universities and signal the administration’s continued use of Title VI enforcement as a primary response to campus antisemitism.
The probes allege that both institutions permitted and perpetuated a hostile environment for Jewish students, according to the Education Department. If OCR finds violations, institutions risk losing federal funding, a consequence that would affect hundreds of thousands of students and faculty.
Both SJSU and SFSU are part of the California State University system, one of the largest public university systems in the country with nearly 500,000 students across 23 campuses. Federal investigations at two CSU campuses simultaneously carry system-wide implications.
The investigations are part of a broader wave of OCR antisemitism probes at American universities that accelerated following campus unrest related to the Middle East conflict. The department has opened dozens of similar investigations since late 2023.
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race, color or national origin in programs receiving federal financial assistance. The Education Department has interpreted Title VI to cover antisemitic harassment when it is based on shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics.
Both universities will be required to cooperate with the investigations by providing records and access to campus officials.