DePaul University has a Hillel, Chabad, the Jewish Life Center and Jewish Greek life on campus.

What’s Happening on Campus?

In October 2023, at an anti-Israel rally at DePaul University, protesters held signs with messages that included: "Death to Zionism." A protester also held a flag for the U.S.-designated terror group Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).

In May 2024, the student government passed a referendum advocating for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel during its Student Government Association elections. That same month, the administration was forced to dismantle an anti-Israel encampment on campus following numerous incidents of antisemitism and conduct violations at the encampment.

In October 2024, at an anti-Israel rally organized by Students for Justice in Palestine and DePaul Divest Coalition at DePaul University, protesters displayed signs with messages that included: “By Any Means Necessary” with an image of Leila Khaled, a leader of the antisemitic U.S.-designated terrorist group Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). Protesters also chanted, “There is only one solution; Intifada, revolution” and “All these racist ass Zios [Zionists] we don’t need ‘em.”

In November 2024, two Jewish students displaying support for Israel were physically attacked outside the Student Center, with both students having to go to hospital as a result of the incident. The incident is being investigated by law enforcement as a hate crime. An off-campus group, Behind Enemy Lines, referred to the hate crime as a “small taste of justice.”

University Policies and Responsive Action

In 2024, DePaul’s Office of Institutional Diversity and Equity (OIDE) administered an antisemitism training program for faculty and staff, with assistance from the university’s Jewish Faculty and Staff ERG. In addition, DePaul’s annual, mandatory compliance training for all employees, including staff, faculty and student employees, includes anti-discrimination and anti-harassment (ADAH) modules.

In response to the BDS referendum in May 2024, DePaul University administration issued a strong statement rejecting the divestment calls and academic boycotts, emphasizing the importance of upholding academic freedom and dialogue.

Following the Spring 2024 encampment, the University also launched a comprehensive website documenting these incidents, fostering transparency and accountability.  The website contained examples of discrimination, harassment, and violence and images of items that were found in the encampment while dismantling it, including knives, a pellet gun and other improvised weapons.

Following the November 2024 attacks on Jewish students, President Manuel condemned the violence, pledged a thorough investigation and committed to ensuring campus safety. In November, after Behind Enemy Lines targeted a Jewish student, the group was banned from campus.

The University has committed to establishing a bias education and response team. The administration also meets regularly with representatives of internal and external Jewish groups.