The University of Denver has a Hillel, Chabad, Jewish Greek life and a Center for Judaic Studies.

What’s Happening on Campus?

In April 2024, a Jewish student observing an anti-Israel demonstration was targeted by one of the protesters, labeled a "Zionist" and accused of hindering Palestinian liberation. In May 2024, a pro-Israel student was reportedly assaulted and another student was threatened during an anti-Zionist encampment on campus.

In October 2024, an independent report commissioned by the University highlighted sufficient evidence of a hostile campus environment for Jewish and other minority students, following a 20-day anti-Israel encampment that occurred on campus in May 2024.

University Policies and Responsive Action

In March 2023, Chancellor Haefner released a statement on the steps the University was taking to address antisemitism on campus, committing to review the University’s bystander intervention training and bias response mechanisms.

In February 2024, the University worked internally with two campus faculty experts to create staff training focusing on antisemitism and Islamophobia. The University also offers a mandatory training on diversity, equity and inclusion for all incoming students as part of its Discoveries Orientation, as well as mandatory sessions called Community of Care.

In response to recent incidents on campus, the University of Denver engaged Grand River Solutions (GRS) to review complaints of antisemitic conduct on campus. The review indicated that DU’s responses were compliant with best practices, although both the GRS report and the October 2024 encampment report made a number of policy recommendations, which the University has begun implementing.

In the past year, the Chancellor has worked to co-sponsor Jewish life programs on campus.