University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) has a Hillel, Chabad, Jewish Greek life organizations, and the George L. Mosse/Laurence A. Weinstein Center for Jewish Studies.

Litigation & Investigations

In February 2024, the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights opened a Title VI investigation into allegations that the University has failed to adequately protect Jewish students on campus, including during incidents such as when anti-Israel protestors chanted “Glory to the martyrs” during an October 2023 rally.

What’s Happening on Campus?

The SJP chapter on campus has released multiple statements in recent years calling on the University to reject Zionism, and has equated Zionism to racism and genocide. In 2022, antisemitic messages were written in chalk on the first day of classes, calling Jewish students “racist” and “genocidal.”

The University has also documented some antisemitic incidents post-October 7, 2023, including rocks being thrown at a vigil supporting Israel, students disrupting Hillel Hanukkah celebrations, and vandalism of the Hillel building.

In April 2024, at an anti-Israel encampment, protesters displayed messages that included "By any means necessary" and "From the river to the sea.” In May 2024, an individual flashed a knife at a student holding an Israeli flag on campus and stated, "Jews shouldn't be on campus."

In October 2024, at an anti-Israel rally celebrating the anniversary of Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, protesters chanted, “Intifada” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

University Policies and Responsive Action

The University administration has made statements in solidarity with the Jewish community, has worked with campus police when incidents have been reported and has condemned the October 7 Hamas attack. The University clarified protest policies and consequences for violations of the student code of conduct, and will also participate for a second time in Hillel’s Campus Climate Initiative.

The administration has also engaged Hillel to aid in facilitating trainings for faculty and staff on antisemitism and Jewish identity.

In May 2024, following a 12-day encampment, the University reached a deal with the protestors, promising, among other items, to facilitate a meeting between the protestors and the UW Foundation. The agreement was preceded by 34 arrests at the encampment.

Prior to the beginning of the 2024-25 academic year, the University reviewed and revised existing protest guidelines to create a broader Expressive Activity Policy, and updated the Registered Student Organization Code of Conduct. The University also issued campus-wide guidance on Political Activity and Public Advocacy on Campus including in the classroom, and centralized the intake and review of bias reports (including shared ancestry) within the university’s Office of Compliance.

The University has launched investigations into SJP, the Young Democratic Socialists of America-UW, Mecha de UW Madison and Anticolonial Scientists due to their role in the illegal encampment on campus in May 2024. The UW-Madison SJP chapter was put on a 10-month suspension in October 2024 after it was determined SJP had violated multiple university rules during the encampment.

The campus chapters of SJP and Young Democratic Socialists were also placed under investigation by the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards after a demonstration before the UW Board of Regents in December 2024 calling for divestment from Israel that led to 19 arrests.

Beginning in the Fall 2024 semester, the university has provided mandatory free expression training to all new students. The training includes discussion of offensive speech and training on Title VI discrimination. In addition, all incoming students must complete the Our Wisconsin module, an inclusion education program created to raise awareness of the diversity within the student population.

The University also consistently communicates with the campus Chabad and Hillel about issues related to Jewish life on campus.

University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) has a Hillel, Chabad, Jewish Greek life organizations, and the George L. Mosse/Laurence A. Weinstein Center for Jewish Studies.

Litigation & Investigations

In February 2024, the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights opened a Title VI investigation into allegations that the University has failed to adequately protect Jewish students on campus, including during incidents such as when anti-Israel protestors chanted “Glory to the martyrs” during an October 2023 rally.

What’s Happening on Campus?

The SJP chapter on campus has released multiple statements in recent years calling on the University to reject Zionism, and has equated Zionism to racism and genocide. In 2022, antisemitic messages were written in chalk on the first day of classes, calling Jewish students “racist” and “genocidal.”

The University has also documented some antisemitic incidents post-October 7, 2023, including rocks being thrown at a vigil supporting Israel, students disrupting Hillel Hanukkah celebrations, and vandalism of the Hillel building.

In April 2024, at an anti-Israel encampment, protesters displayed messages that included "By any means necessary" and "From the river to the sea.” In May 2024, an individual flashed a knife at a student holding an Israeli flag on campus and stated, "Jews shouldn't be on campus."

In October 2024, at an anti-Israel rally celebrating the anniversary of Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, protesters chanted, “Intifada” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

University Policies and Responsive Action

The University administration has made statements in solidarity with the Jewish community, has worked with campus police when incidents have been reported and has condemned the October 7 Hamas attack. The University clarified protest policies and consequences for violations of the student code of conduct, and will also participate for a second time in Hillel’s Campus Climate Initiative.

The administration has also engaged Hillel to aid in facilitating trainings for faculty and staff on antisemitism and Jewish identity.

In May 2024, following a 12-day encampment, the University reached a deal with the protestors, promising, among other items, to facilitate a meeting between the protestors and the UW Foundation. The agreement was preceded by 34 arrests at the encampment.

Prior to the beginning of the 2024-25 academic year, the University reviewed and revised existing protest guidelines to create a broader Expressive Activity Policy, and updated the Registered Student Organization Code of Conduct. The University also issued campus-wide guidance on Political Activity and Public Advocacy on Campus including in the classroom, and centralized the intake and review of bias reports (including shared ancestry) within the university’s Office of Compliance.

The University has launched investigations into SJP, the Young Democratic Socialists of America-UW, Mecha de UW Madison and Anticolonial Scientists due to their role in the illegal encampment on campus in May 2024. The UW-Madison SJP chapter was put on a 10-month suspension in October 2024 after it was determined SJP had violated multiple university rules during the encampment.

The campus chapters of SJP and Young Democratic Socialists were also placed under investigation by the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards after a demonstration before the UW Board of Regents in December 2024 calling for divestment from Israel that led to 19 arrests.

Beginning in the Fall 2024 semester, the university has provided mandatory free expression training to all new students. The training includes discussion of offensive speech and training on Title VI discrimination. In addition, all incoming students must complete the Our Wisconsin module, an inclusion education program created to raise awareness of the diversity within the student population.

The University also consistently communicates with the campus Chabad and Hillel about issues related to Jewish life on campus.