Towson University, part of the University of Maryland system, has a Hillel, Chabad, Jewish Greek life organizations, and a partnership with Baltimore Hebrew Institute.

What’s Happening on Campus?

In October 2023, two individuals reportedly wrote "F*** the Jews" on a chalkboard and yelled at visibly Jewish individuals. The next month, "Long live the intifada" and "from the river to the sea Palestine will be free" were chalked on campus.

At an anti-Israel demonstration at Towson University in November 2023, protesters called for the end of Zionism and held signs with messages that included “Resist the Occupation” and “It wasn’t okay in South Africa; It wasn’t okay in Nazi Germany; Why is it okay in Palestine.”

Towson also made headlines in 2018 when Jewish members of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity said they were assaulted and harassed near campus by intoxicated students yelling ethnic slurs.

Then-Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona visited the school in November 2023 for a roundtable discussion on campus antisemitism. The conversation came amid several combative anti-Israel protests at Tiger Plaza. Students at the time said they were concerned about going to class because of the protests and the perceived lack of a response by the University.

In May 2024, the Towson University Student Government Association voted in favor of calling on the Towson University Foundation to completely divest from all companies and funds doing business in Israel. That same month, a student asked a fellow classmate wearing a Star of David necklace at Towson University if they were Jewish, and after the student said yes, they stated, "Go fuck yourself" and "Israel shouldn't exist." Also in May 2024, during a lecture at Towson University, a professor made several antisemitic statements, including, "Jews are too defensive about the Holocaust and antisemitism."

University Policies and Responsive Action

School officials have committed to publicly condemn antisemitic incidents and investigate anti-Israel groups if they violate University policy.

In 2023, a University investigation was initiated into whether students participating in the “die-in” violated the University’s policies, which set regulations regarding time, place, and manner for demonstrations. Some of the students who participated were disciplined and received deferred suspensions.

In fall 2024, the University established an advisory council comprised of staff, faculty, and student members of the Jewish community and charged with assessing the campus climate and identifying ways in which the University can address community concerns and make recommendations to the administration.

Towson University, part of the University of Maryland system, has a Hillel, Chabad, Jewish Greek life organizations, and a partnership with Baltimore Hebrew Institute.

What’s Happening on Campus?

In October 2023, two individuals reportedly wrote "F*** the Jews" on a chalkboard and yelled at visibly Jewish individuals. The next month, "Long live the intifada" and "from the river to the sea Palestine will be free" were chalked on campus.

At an anti-Israel demonstration at Towson University in November 2023, protesters called for the end of Zionism and held signs with messages that included “Resist the Occupation” and “It wasn’t okay in South Africa; It wasn’t okay in Nazi Germany; Why is it okay in Palestine.”

Towson also made headlines in 2018 when Jewish members of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity said they were assaulted and harassed near campus by intoxicated students yelling ethnic slurs.

Then-Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona visited the school in November 2023 for a roundtable discussion on campus antisemitism. The conversation came amid several combative anti-Israel protests at Tiger Plaza. Students at the time said they were concerned about going to class because of the protests and the perceived lack of a response by the University.

In May 2024, the Towson University Student Government Association voted in favor of calling on the Towson University Foundation to completely divest from all companies and funds doing business in Israel. That same month, a student asked a fellow classmate wearing a Star of David necklace at Towson University if they were Jewish, and after the student said yes, they stated, "Go fuck yourself" and "Israel shouldn't exist." Also in May 2024, during a lecture at Towson University, a professor made several antisemitic statements, including, "Jews are too defensive about the Holocaust and antisemitism."

University Policies and Responsive Action

School officials have committed to publicly condemn antisemitic incidents and investigate anti-Israel groups if they violate University policy.

In 2023, a University investigation was initiated into whether students participating in the “die-in” violated the University’s policies, which set regulations regarding time, place, and manner for demonstrations. Some of the students who participated were disciplined and received deferred suspensions.

In fall 2024, the University established an advisory council comprised of staff, faculty, and student members of the Jewish community and charged with assessing the campus climate and identifying ways in which the University can address community concerns and make recommendations to the administration.