U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, raised concerns on Mar. 20 about repeated antisemitic incidents at San Jose State University that he said threaten the safety of Jewish students.
The issue is significant as it highlights ongoing concerns about campus safety and the response of university officials to hate-based threats. The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee works to legislate on public health, education, workforce issues and retirement programs with the goal of protecting health and supporting worker rights, according to the official website.
Cassidy cited recent graffiti found on SJSU buildings containing antisemitic threats such as “Kill All Jews” and references to terrorist attacks. He also referenced a previous incident last fall involving swastikas and threats targeting Jewish and other minority students in a campus bathroom. "Antisemitic threats are vile and have absolutely no place in our educational institutions or on college campuses," Cassidy wrote. "San Jose State University officials’ response to growing antisemitism on the campus premises is inadequate and demands accountability." He added: "It is imperative that University administrators rise to the occasion to take a firm stand against antisemitism and racial violence."
According to Cassidy's letter, university officials offered a counseling session following the latest incident but reportedly no one attended due to fears for physical safety among Jewish students. The university later stated that there was no evidence indicating a credible threat after removing the graffiti but this did not ease student concerns. Philip Heller, President of the University Jewish Faculty and Staff Association, said: "We have seen physical violence in the past and my concern is that we’ll see more." Cassidy also noted recent unprovoked attacks against Jewish individuals in San Jose.
Cassidy has led efforts in Congress addressing campus antisemitism since October 7 terror attacks. He is sponsoring legislation called the Protecting Students on Campus Act which would allow students experiencing violence or harassment due to their heritage to file civil rights complaints.
The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee influences federal regulations affecting health and education across the United States according to its official website. It provides oversight of federal laws and agencies in health and labor sectors—including agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and National Institutes of Health (NIH)—serving as a key body for policy decisions.
Cassidy requested detailed responses from SJSU officials regarding actions taken after these incidents by April 2. The broader implications include increased scrutiny over how universities address hate crimes on campus nationwide.
