Antisemitism on America's College and University Campuses: Current Conditions and the Federal Response

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights will hold a briefing on Thursday, February 19, 2026, to investigate the increase in antisemitism on America's college and university campuses. The briefing will be followed by a public comment session scheduled for Friday, February 20, 2026. The bipartisan investigation, led by Commissioners Peter Kirsanow (R)and Mondaire Jones (D), will examine how institutions of higher education and the federal government responded to allegations of antisemitism on U.S. college and university campuses in violation of federal civil rights protections. This study will primarily examine four subjects:

1. How the Office for Civil Rights in the U.S. Department of Education has responded to allegations of antisemitic incidents on college and university campuses since October 7, 2023.
2. How the U.S. Department of Justice has responded to allegations of antisemitic incidents on college and university campuses since October 7, 2023.
3. How the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has responded to allegations of antisemitic incidents on college and university campuses since October 7, 2023.
4. How a sample of colleges and universities has responded to allegations of antisemitic incidents on their campuses since October 7, 2023.

At this public briefing, the Commission will hear from subject matter experts such as current and former federal employees, impacted students and university officials, advocacy organizations, and legal and policy experts.

The Commission will accept written materials from the public for consideration as we prepare our report. Written materials may be submitted to [email protected]no later than March 20, 2026.

This briefing is in-person and open to the public.

DATE & TIME:
Thursday, February 19, 2026, 10 am - 4:55 pm ET*

LOCATION:
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
1331 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 1150
Washington, DC 20425 (National Place Building F Street Entrance)

The briefing will also be live-streamed on the Commission's YouTube page.

Computer assisted real-time transcription (CART) will be provided. The web link to access CART (in English) on Thursday, February 19, 2026, is https://www.streamtext.net/player?event=USCCR. Please note that CART is a text-only translation that occurs in real time during the meeting and is not an exact transcript.

To request additional accommodations, persons with disabilities should email [email protected] by Monday, February 16, 2026, indicating "accommodations" in the subject line.

*Schedule subject to change