High Country Times

Today, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced its decision to investigate allegations of workplace antisemitism at the University of California (UC). This move follows a probe by the Education and Workforce Committee that revealed instances of antisemitic discrimination within university settings, including UC.

The DOJ will determine if UC has breached Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by engaging in employment discrimination based on race, religion, and national origin against its professors, staff, and other employees.

Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) expressed his support for the investigation. "Over the past two years, we’ve seen a rise in antisemitic threats and harassment on college campuses," he stated. "The Committee uncovered that professors and staff are also victims of these attacks and often face a toxic workplace because of antisemitism. Colleges and universities need to provide a safe work environment for their Jewish faculty or face the consequences of the law. I am grateful the Jewish community finally has an ally in the oval office, but I am saddened that such action is needed."

This development follows a subcommittee hearing held by the Committee on Education and Workforce in June 2024 to address workplace antisemitism in postsecondary education. During this hearing, Mark Rienzi, President and CEO of The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, highlighted concerns about violations of federal civil rights law. He remarked: "They are violating Federal civil rights law when they allow the Jewish employees to have to endure day after day going to a work—going to a workplace where people are saying, ‘Death to the Jews. Death to Israel.’ You know, ‘Beat that F’ing Jew,’ which was a common refrain on UCLA’s campus. Employers should not allow that to continue. They have an affirmative obligation to not have their employees thrust into a hostile work environment."