The University of Minnesota has a Hillel, Chabad, and Jewish Greek life.

Litigation & Investigations

In January 2024, the U.S. Department of Education announced an investigation into claims of antisemitism at the University of Minnesota, highlighting concerns about the university's response to incidents on campus.

In February 2025, the Department of Education launched an investigation into alleged antisemitic discrimination at the University of Minnesota. These matters were opened using the Department's power to launch investigations.

What’s Happening on Campus?

In April 2024, flyers displaying messages such as "Nothing but hate for Israel and Zionism" appeared near Coffman Memorial Union, and an anti-Israel encampment was established on campus.

In September 2024, graffiti was found on campus that read “Zionists off campus," "The intifada is here" and "Glory to the resistance." That same month a number of anti-Israel groups held a protest, where protesters called for academic boycotts and divestment from Israel. Also in September 2024, an individual gave a book claiming that Zionists perpetrated 9/11 to a staff member at the University of Minnesota Hillel.

Protests continued into October 2024, with students occupying Morrill Hall, demanding BDS and renaming it “Halimy Hall” in their demonstrations. That same month, a mezuzah was ripped from the doorpost of a Jewish student's dorm room.

Alumni and members of the community held an anti-Israel protest outside of Hillel on October 7, 2024.

In November 2024, a student was harassed by an individual who told the student to stop supporting Israel or they will kill them.

University Policies and Responsive Action

In 2020, the University established the Gopher Equity Project, an online module for all undergraduate students on the Twin Cities campus. The Project is intended to raise awareness and build skills that contribute to a respectful and positive campus community, and has sections that explicitly focus on antisemitism. Faculty and instructors are encouraged to host follow-up discussions in the university’s first-year experience courses. In Fall 2023, the University formed an Interfaith Dialogue Working Group. 

Beginning in October 2023, Israeli students planning to serve in the Israeli military can take a leave of absence and receive reimbursement for tuition.

In May 2024 the university leadership reached an agreement with anti-Israel protesters, which resulted in the dismantling of a protest encampment on Northrop Mall.

Members of the University’s administration regularly convene strategic meetings with Jewish faculty and students to address, prevent, and respond to antisemitic incidents and foster a more inclusive environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff. After a Spring 2024 meeting, the administration outlined 10 commitments to fostering a safe, welcoming, and supportive campus. These included commitments to support the University’s study abroad programs and faculty relationships with Israel; discuss opportunities to enhance student trust in the University’s processes to address bias and harassment; and open a consistent dialogue between senior leaders and Jewish student leaders. 

Minnesota’s state Senate’s Judiciary and Public Safety Committee convened in June 2024 to discuss antisemitism and anti-Israel incidents at the university, underscoring the need for a comprehensive approach to tackle these concerns.

In August 2024, the University Board of Regents adopted an institutional neutrality policy, which was protested by anti-Israel students and student groups.

In October 2024, 11 people were arrested and 7 were fined and suspended after University of Minnesota officials released an emergency alert following the occupation of Morrill Hall. The alert stated protesters were "causing property damage and restricting entrance and exit from the building."

In December 2024, the Minneapolis City Council passed a resolution urging the University to rescind any discipline for anti-Israel protestors arrested during the October 2024 protest. This resolution was blocked by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.

In March 2025, members of the Jewish and University of Minnesota communities – including University President Cunningham – attended the kickoff reception of the University's participation in the Hillel International Campus Climate Initiative at Minnesota Hillel. In 2025, the Interfaith Dialogue Working Group also invited members of the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities to engage in intrafaith and intracultural conversations about belonging and safety in the campus community. 

*Following the implementation of new policy actions and the submission of new information, University of Minnesota’s 2025 grade was revised from an F to a C on April 4, 2025.