U of Pittsburgh publishes antisemitism report without consulting Jewish students

The University of Pittsburgh's internal working group on campus antisemitism published a report in July 2026 without consulting or surveying the school's estimated 1,400 Jewish students. The report has divided the campus, drawing criticism from the left and from within the Jewish community. The working group chair said the charge was not to provide data. The university agreed to act on recommendations including strengthening Title VI compliance and giving clear guidance on free speech and protest policies. The issue became urgent after two Jewish students wearing kippahs were wounded in a violent off-campus attack in 2024. Some faculty have criticized the report, and the university's AAUP chapter called for it to be withdrawn. A progressive contingent of Jewish personnel proposed an alternative set of recommendations.

The University of Pittsburgh's internal working group on campus antisemitism published a report in July 2026 that did not include or solicit the perspectives of the school's estimated 1,400 Jewish students, nor any other members of the campus Jewish community beyond the working group itself. The report, authored by a group that includes Jews, has divided the campus, drawing criticism from the left for recommendations they say would limit speech, and from within the Jewish community for inadequate consultation. The working group chair, sociologist Katherine Blee, told JTA the charge from the chancellor and provost was not to provide data. The university immediately agreed to act on recommendations including strengthening Title VI compliance, giving clear guidance on free speech and protest policies, and committing to new dialogue programming. The issue became urgent after two Jewish students wearing kippahs were wounded in a violent off-campus attack in 2024. The university's Jewish Studies program director, initially a member of the working group, did not sign the final document. Some faculty have criticized the report, and the university's AAUP chapter called for it to be withdrawn. A progressive contingent of Jewish personnel proposed an alternative set of recommendations.