The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights opened formal investigations into San Jose State University and San Francisco State University, alleging persistent antisemitic harassment on both campuses, on Aug. 6.
The investigations are part of the administration’s broader campaign targeting campus antisemitism under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color or national origin in programs receiving federal funding.
If violations are found, the universities risk losing federal funding — a significant financial consequence for public institutions. Both San Jose State and San Francisco State are part of the California State University system, the nation’s largest four-year public university system, which enrolls nearly half a million students.
The administration has opened dozens of similar investigations at universities nationwide since January 2025, making campus antisemitism one of its most active civil rights enforcement priorities. The investigations have drawn both support from Jewish advocacy organizations and criticism from civil liberties groups concerned about the scope of federal oversight.
Title VI investigations typically examine whether a university’s response to reported harassment was adequate under federal anti-discrimination standards. The Office for Civil Rights can require changes to university policies and practices as part of a resolution agreement.
The CSU system receives billions of dollars in federal financial aid, research grants and other funding. Any loss of federal support would affect hundreds of thousands of students across the system.