The University of Florida has a Hillel, Chabad, Jewish Greek life organizations and the Bud Shorstein Center for Jewish Studies.

What’s Happening on Campus?

There have been incidents at the University of Florida before and after October 7 2023. In the fall of 2022, antisemitic messages, including ones invoking singer Kanye West, were displayed via laser projection by a group not affiliated with either university outside TIAA Bank Field in an off-campus Florida-Georgia football game in Jacksonville.

The campus Chabad was vandalized with antisemitic graffiti in November 2023, and antisemitic chalking and streamers have also been seen on campus, allegedly perpetrated by extremist activists affiliated with Goyim Defense League and NatSoc Florida groups.

A teaching assistant was banned for three years in November 2023 after allegedly vandalizing a flag outside the Alpha Epsilon Pi house that said the fraternity “stands with Israel.”

In February 2024, at an anti-Israel gathering at the University of Florida organized by Party for Socialism and Liberation, individuals displayed signs with messages that included: “Nazis think Zionisom [sic] is sexy 2.”

In October 2024, at an anti-Israel rally on campus celebrating the anniversary of Hamas’ October 7, 2023, terrorist attack, protesters held signs with messages that included “I Stand With Hamas And Hezbollah.”

University Policies and Responsive Action

The University issued a strong statement from President Ben Sasse in the days following the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks.

Following repeated calls for protestors to remove an encampment established in April 2024, the University called in the police, leading to the arrests of several students. The University subsequently released a statement: "The University of Florida is not a daycare, and we do not treat protesters like children. They knew the rules, they broke the rules, and they’ll face the consequences.”

The University maintains relationships with Hillel, Chabad and Jewish fraternities and has recently entered into a partnership between its Hamilton Center and the Tikvah Fund.

In August 2024, the Chancellor of the State University System of Florida called for a review of all state university courses for anti-Israel or antisemitic bias, including at the University of Florida.

In February 2025, the University Hamilton Center for Classical and Civic Education announced the launch of the Robert M. Beren Program on Jewish Classical Education, a major new endeavor focused on the intersection of Jewish, Western, and American civilization.

Commendations

On June 18, 2024, ADL issued a commendation to the University of Florida for its swift action to address campus encampments.

The University of Florida has a Hillel, Chabad, Jewish Greek life organizations and the Bud Shorstein Center for Jewish Studies.

What’s Happening on Campus?

There have been incidents at the University of Florida before and after October 7 2023. In the fall of 2022, antisemitic messages, including ones invoking singer Kanye West, were displayed via laser projection by a group not affiliated with either university outside TIAA Bank Field in an off-campus Florida-Georgia football game in Jacksonville.

The campus Chabad was vandalized with antisemitic graffiti in November 2023, and antisemitic chalking and streamers have also been seen on campus, allegedly perpetrated by extremist activists affiliated with Goyim Defense League and NatSoc Florida groups.

A teaching assistant was banned for three years in November 2023 after allegedly vandalizing a flag outside the Alpha Epsilon Pi house that said the fraternity “stands with Israel.”

In February 2024, at an anti-Israel gathering at the University of Florida organized by Party for Socialism and Liberation, individuals displayed signs with messages that included: “Nazis think Zionisom [sic] is sexy 2.”

In October 2024, at an anti-Israel rally on campus celebrating the anniversary of Hamas’ October 7, 2023, terrorist attack, protesters held signs with messages that included “I Stand With Hamas And Hezbollah.”

University Policies and Responsive Action

The University issued a strong statement from President Ben Sasse in the days following the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks.

Following repeated calls for protestors to remove an encampment established in April 2024, the University called in the police, leading to the arrests of several students. The University subsequently released a statement: "The University of Florida is not a daycare, and we do not treat protesters like children. They knew the rules, they broke the rules, and they’ll face the consequences.”

The University maintains relationships with Hillel, Chabad and Jewish fraternities and has recently entered into a partnership between its Hamilton Center and the Tikvah Fund.

In August 2024, the Chancellor of the State University System of Florida called for a review of all state university courses for anti-Israel or antisemitic bias, including at the University of Florida.

In February 2025, the University Hamilton Center for Classical and Civic Education announced the launch of the Robert M. Beren Program on Jewish Classical Education, a major new endeavor focused on the intersection of Jewish, Western, and American civilization.

Commendations

On June 18, 2024, ADL issued a commendation to the University of Florida for its swift action to address campus encampments.