CUNY Baruch College has a Hillel and the Sandra Kahn Wasserman Jewish Studies Center (WJSC).

Litigation & Investigations

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

What’s Happening on Campus?

In June 2024, an anti-Hillel rally was held at Baruch College, where demonstrators chanted derogatory slogans against Hillel and the Jewish community.

In August 2024, Baruch’s SJP chapter organized a protest near the campus, demanding action against the campus Hillel.

These protests continued in September 2024, with further harassment directed at Baruch Hillel's community during a welcome back event, causing significant distress among Jewish students. An article from that month highlighted an increasing number of incidents targeting Hillels throughout the CUNY system, focusing particularly on Baruch College.

In October 2024, the façade of the Newman Vertical Campus was vandalized with graffiti reading “OCTOBER 7 FOREVER.”

University Policies and Responsive Action

In June 2024, President Wu issued a statement supporting Hillel amid rising tensions preceding a major protest, reaffirming the commitment to creating a safe campus environment.

In September 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul urged CUNY to implement recommendations developed by Judge Jonathan Lippman to address antisemitism and discrimination following a ten-month investigation. That same month, Baruch's initial decision to block a Rosh Hashanah celebration due to safety concerns was met with strong disapproval, leading to a reassessment and approval of the event.

Following the vandalism incident in October 2024, President Wu once again condemned antisemitism, reinforcing the college's stance against hate.

In addition, President Wu has established a Campus Climate Subcommittee to provide strategic recommendations on communications, policies, and actionable plans to effectively address specific incidents on campus. The college has also secured a grant to support initiatives that ensure Jewish students, faculty, and staff feel respected and free from harassment.

At the college, the Wasserman Jewish Studies Center also provides academic programming that addresses antisemitism through a scholarly perspective.