University of California, San Diego (UCSD) has a Hillel, Chabad and Jewish Greek life organizations.

Litigation & Investigations

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights announced in December 2023 that it is investigating UCSD for potential Title VI violations.

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

What’s Happening on Campus?

In April 2023, a comment stating the "second Holocaust coming soon" was left on an Instagram post of a Jewish student group. In May 2023, swastikas were smeared in feces on the walls of a residence hall bathroom.

In late October 2023, the UCSD Associated Students Council (ASC) endorsed a letter by UCSD’s Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter that labeled Israel an “apartheid state.” At a subsequent meeting, the ASC failed to pass a resolution that would have condemned antisemitism and would have apologized for endorsing SJP’s letter. In November, the ASC did condemn antisemitism following an outcry from Jewish students.

In November 2023, a Jewish student wearing a Star of David necklace was approached and harassed with comments about genocide and ethnic cleansing. That same month, UCSD police had to evacuate Jewish students from an Associated Students Council meeting where antisemitism was being discussed following harassment by anti-Israel protesters outside of the building. There were also multiple rallies featuring anti-Zionist and pro-terror rhetoric, and posters of hostages were ripped down during a student walk-out.

In March 2024, the ASC passed a resolution calling for divestment from Israel. Also in March, the University issued an advisory to all staff and students asking the community to “consider avoiding the area” on the day of a protest organized by SJP.

In May 2024, protestors from the encampment, including members of JVP, organized an anti-Zionist Shabbat on campus. In June 2024, UCSD academic workers joined other UC campuses in striking following the dismantling of the Gaza Solidarity Encampment on campus.

In October 2024, an individual made several threatening antisemitic posts on Instagram directed at a Jewish student and the Hillel at UCSD. The posts referred to the student as a "Zionist" in a disparaging way and referred to Hillel as "criminals, baby killers, and a cancerous organization." That same month, swastikas were etched into a blackboard in a classroom.

University Policies and Responsive Action

The University, along with other UC schools, has made several statements condemning antisemitism in the wake of October 7. The University has clarified that its anti-discrimination policy explicitly includes antisemitism.

UCSD established the “Tritons Belong” initiative to support the campus community and encourage conversation, dialogue and connections. The campus also has mandatory Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training for all incoming students which addresses issues of antisemitism.

In response to the ASC BDS resolution, the University issued a statement reiterating the position of all 10 UC campus chancellors in opposition to calls to boycott and divest from Israel. However, the resolution does establish an oversight committee that is being charged with reviewing the student government budget allocated to companies that support Israel.

Following the establishment of a ‘Gaza Solidarity Encampment,” University administration arrested 60 protesters, including 40 students and faculty, in May 2024.

In August 2024, University of California President Drake launched a UC-wide Campus Climate Initiative to help all UC locations develop campus climate action plans for fall 2024 and beyond. President Drake also issued a directive to all UC campuses to make clear to their campus communities that certain activities – including encampments, masking to conceal identities and restricting free movement – are prohibited.

UCSD has an advisory council that advises the Chancellor on a variety of issues, including those pertaining to the experiences of Jewish members of the campus community. In addition, the Chancellor frequently consults Jewish members of other internal advisory boards, as well as Jewish students and Hillel and ADL representatives on such issues. 

University of California, San Diego (UCSD) has a Hillel, Chabad and Jewish Greek life organizations.

Litigation & Investigations

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights announced in December 2023 that it is investigating UCSD for potential Title VI violations.

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

What’s Happening on Campus?

In April 2023, a comment stating the "second Holocaust coming soon" was left on an Instagram post of a Jewish student group. In May 2023, swastikas were smeared in feces on the walls of a residence hall bathroom.

In late October 2023, the UCSD Associated Students Council (ASC) endorsed a letter by UCSD’s Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter that labeled Israel an “apartheid state.” At a subsequent meeting, the ASC failed to pass a resolution that would have condemned antisemitism and would have apologized for endorsing SJP’s letter. In November, the ASC did condemn antisemitism following an outcry from Jewish students.

In November 2023, a Jewish student wearing a Star of David necklace was approached and harassed with comments about genocide and ethnic cleansing. That same month, UCSD police had to evacuate Jewish students from an Associated Students Council meeting where antisemitism was being discussed following harassment by anti-Israel protesters outside of the building. There were also multiple rallies featuring anti-Zionist and pro-terror rhetoric, and posters of hostages were ripped down during a student walk-out.

In March 2024, the ASC passed a resolution calling for divestment from Israel. Also in March, the University issued an advisory to all staff and students asking the community to “consider avoiding the area” on the day of a protest organized by SJP.

In May 2024, protestors from the encampment, including members of JVP, organized an anti-Zionist Shabbat on campus. In June 2024, UCSD academic workers joined other UC campuses in striking following the dismantling of the Gaza Solidarity Encampment on campus.

In October 2024, an individual made several threatening antisemitic posts on Instagram directed at a Jewish student and the Hillel at UCSD. The posts referred to the student as a "Zionist" in a disparaging way and referred to Hillel as "criminals, baby killers, and a cancerous organization." That same month, swastikas were etched into a blackboard in a classroom.

University Policies and Responsive Action

The University, along with other UC schools, has made several statements condemning antisemitism in the wake of October 7. The University has clarified that its anti-discrimination policy explicitly includes antisemitism.

UCSD established the “Tritons Belong” initiative to support the campus community and encourage conversation, dialogue and connections. The campus also has mandatory Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training for all incoming students which addresses issues of antisemitism.

In response to the ASC BDS resolution, the University issued a statement reiterating the position of all 10 UC campus chancellors in opposition to calls to boycott and divest from Israel. However, the resolution does establish an oversight committee that is being charged with reviewing the student government budget allocated to companies that support Israel.

Following the establishment of a ‘Gaza Solidarity Encampment,” University administration arrested 60 protesters, including 40 students and faculty, in May 2024.

In August 2024, University of California President Drake launched a UC-wide Campus Climate Initiative to help all UC locations develop campus climate action plans for fall 2024 and beyond. President Drake also issued a directive to all UC campuses to make clear to their campus communities that certain activities – including encampments, masking to conceal identities and restricting free movement – are prohibited.

UCSD has an advisory council that advises the Chancellor on a variety of issues, including those pertaining to the experiences of Jewish members of the campus community. In addition, the Chancellor frequently consults Jewish members of other internal advisory boards, as well as Jewish students and Hillel and ADL representatives on such issues.