Brown has the Brown RISD Hillel and the Rohr Chabad House.

Litigation & Investigations

In January 2024, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights opened a Title VI investigation into Brown University.

In July 2024, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights entered into a resolution agreement with Brown University, outlining a series of actions the university must take to address antisemitism on campus.

What’s Happening on Campus?

Since October 7, Brown’s Palestine Solidarity Caucus, Brown Divest Coalition, Brown SJP and other groups have hosted a series of rallies and protests on campus, including a hunger strike and sit-ins at University Hall demanding Brown divest from Israel. Some of these rallies have included anti-Zionist rhetoric.

Nearly 200 Brown faculty members signed a letter to President Christina Paxson urging her to re-open discussions on divestment and to drop all charges against students who were arrested after a sit-in at University Hall in November.

In late 2023, an individual reportedly broke into the residence of two Jewish students and left a note under their door that read: "Those that live for death will die by their own hand."

In February 2024, employees at the Brown-RISD Hillel received antisemitic emails that included threats of violence.

In September 2024, anti-Israel protestors made the case for divestment to Brown’s advisory committee.

In October 2024, a visibly Jewish student walking by an anti-Israeli protest at Brown University was harassed and called "genocidal" by protesters. That same month, a student was harassed by classmates on the social media platform SideChat, including with a message reading: "F*** that Zionist."

University Policies and Responsive Action

President Paxson and other senior leaders at Brown have publicly condemned antisemitism on campus.

In November 2023, approximately 20 students on campus were arrested after being issued several trespass warnings while staging a sit-in at University Hall. In December 2023, approximately 40 students were arrested for trespassing after once again refusing to leave University Hall. President Paxon made clear that Brown would be prepared to enforce its policies against students who remained on the premises past business hours.

Brown has not adopted an official definition of antisemitism, but references several definitions, including the IHRA Definition, on its webpage.

Brown is launching new programming and initiatives aimed at fostering constructive dialogue and cultivating a caring and supportive community. Brown’s Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity has hosted a series of programs to engage the campus community in learning about antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Arab, anti-Palestinian and anti-Israeli discrimination, and all forms of racism.

In April 2024, following the establishment of an encampment, the Brown administration came to an agreement with the protestors. In exchange for a dismantling of the encampment, administrators promised to discuss and vote on the divestment-related demands of the protestors.

In October 2024, The Corporation of Brown University voted against divestment from companies connected to Israel. 

Brown has the Brown RISD Hillel and the Rohr Chabad House.

Litigation & Investigations

In January 2024, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights opened a Title VI investigation into Brown University.

In July 2024, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights entered into a resolution agreement with Brown University, outlining a series of actions the university must take to address antisemitism on campus.

What’s Happening on Campus?

Since October 7, Brown’s Palestine Solidarity Caucus, Brown Divest Coalition, Brown SJP and other groups have hosted a series of rallies and protests on campus, including a hunger strike and sit-ins at University Hall demanding Brown divest from Israel. Some of these rallies have included anti-Zionist rhetoric.

Nearly 200 Brown faculty members signed a letter to President Christina Paxson urging her to re-open discussions on divestment and to drop all charges against students who were arrested after a sit-in at University Hall in November.

In late 2023, an individual reportedly broke into the residence of two Jewish students and left a note under their door that read: "Those that live for death will die by their own hand."

In February 2024, employees at the Brown-RISD Hillel received antisemitic emails that included threats of violence.

In September 2024, anti-Israel protestors made the case for divestment to Brown’s advisory committee.

In October 2024, a visibly Jewish student walking by an anti-Israeli protest at Brown University was harassed and called "genocidal" by protesters. That same month, a student was harassed by classmates on the social media platform SideChat, including with a message reading: "F*** that Zionist."

University Policies and Responsive Action

President Paxson and other senior leaders at Brown have publicly condemned antisemitism on campus.

In November 2023, approximately 20 students on campus were arrested after being issued several trespass warnings while staging a sit-in at University Hall. In December 2023, approximately 40 students were arrested for trespassing after once again refusing to leave University Hall. President Paxon made clear that Brown would be prepared to enforce its policies against students who remained on the premises past business hours.

Brown has not adopted an official definition of antisemitism, but references several definitions, including the IHRA Definition, on its webpage.

Brown is launching new programming and initiatives aimed at fostering constructive dialogue and cultivating a caring and supportive community. Brown’s Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity has hosted a series of programs to engage the campus community in learning about antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Arab, anti-Palestinian and anti-Israeli discrimination, and all forms of racism.

In April 2024, following the establishment of an encampment, the Brown administration came to an agreement with the protestors. In exchange for a dismantling of the encampment, administrators promised to discuss and vote on the divestment-related demands of the protestors.

In October 2024, The Corporation of Brown University voted against divestment from companies connected to Israel.