US Education Department investigates Pennsylvania college over antisemitism on campus

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has expanded its Title VI investigation into Swarthmore College over allegations that the Pennsylvania school failed to address antisemitism on campus.

The OCR is investigating the college over claims that it has not adequately responded to antisemitic propaganda on campus, which could be a violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The investigation comes after a video depicting an Israeli soldier being burned was posted online near the third anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attacks. A Philadelphia-based group posted the video, and an account, Students for Justice in Palestine, later reposted it.

“On the third anniversary of October 7th, these new allegations underscore that radicalism and antisemitism are incompatible with safe learning environments,” Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey said in a statement.

Richey added that OCR would “thoroughly investigate Swarthmore College to determine whether the school violated Title VI.”

Swarthmore College denies the allegations and told The Center Square that it has no control over content posted to the SJP account and that it is unclear whether those operating the account are currently Swarthmore students.

“This is not the first time this account has shared deeply offensive, if not reprehensible content,” Alisa Giardinelli, the college’s assistant vice president for communications and special projects, told The Center Square. “But the college has no control over what is posted to @swarthmoresjp.”

“Swarthmore College remains committed to fostering an environment free of intimidation, harassment, and discrimination," Giardinelli added. "We have not only consistently and publicly condemned antisemitism, Islamophobia, and all forms of discrimination within our community, but we have also taken measures to strengthen both our response to reports of bias on campus and our resources to support members of our community in need,”