News Summary
Faculty at the University of Pennsylvania have strongly condemned the Trump administration’s request for a list of Jewish members, viewing it as an invasion of privacy and an attack on civil liberties. The demand, made by the EEOC, is seen as a troubling infringement on academic freedom that may compel the university to breach confidentiality. Various academic organizations have joined in opposition, calling for legal intervention to protect their community against perceived discrimination and violations of the First Amendment. The situation has raised alarms regarding broader implications for higher education autonomy.
Philadelphia
Faculty at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), alongside significant academic and student organizations, have issued strong condemnations regarding a recent demand from the Trump administration for a “list of Jews” within the university. The demand, made by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), seeks detailed personal information including names, personal emails, phone numbers, and home addresses of Jewish professors, staff, and students. This unprecedented request has prompted serious concerns among educators and civil liberties advocates, drawing parallels to historical precedents of targeting specific groups. The administration asserts the demand is part of its efforts to combat antisemitism on campuses, while critics describe it as a profound intrusion into fundamental freedoms.
Widespread Condemnation and Legal Challenge
The condemnation was voiced publicly by several influential groups, including the national chapter of the American Association of University Professors, its Penn chapter, the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School Jewish Law Students Association (JLSA), the Penn Association of Senior and Emeritus Faculty, and the American Academy of Jewish Research. These organizations, on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, filed a motion in federal court to intervene as defendants in an ongoing lawsuit against UPenn. They have highlighted the profound alarm caused by such a request, emphasizing the potential for discrimination and the infringement upon academic freedom.
The administration’s call for these lists is reportedly linked to its stated higher education priorities. Universities that do not adhere to these priorities risk facing severe repercussions, including the potential loss of crucial federal funding. UPenn has notably refused to comply with the EEOC’s subpoena, stating that the university does not keep records of employees’ religion and views the request as a “blatant attempt to identify Jewish people.” The university maintains that violating the privacy and trust of its Jewish community is antithetical to ensuring their protection and safety.
The EEOC first began investigating UPenn in December 2023, following allegations of antisemitism on campus. In July 2025, a subpoena was filed requiring detailed information on workplace antisemitism complaints and membership lists for various Jewish-related campus groups. The EEOC subsequently sued UPenn in November 2025 for allegedly failing to comply with these demands. The federal agency argued that the contact information is essential for determining the extent of a hostile work environment.
The intervening groups argue that these requests would require UPenn to create and turn over a centralized registry of Jewish students, faculty, and staff—a profoundly invasive and dangerous demand that intrudes deeply into the freedoms of association, religion, speech, and privacy enshrined in the First Amendment. Concerns are raised about the information potentially falling into “wrong hands or having unintended consequences,” instilling a “sense of vulnerability among Jews,” and having “ominous historical overtones.”
Broader Implications for Higher Education and Civil Liberties
This latest development at UPenn occurs within a broader pattern of actions by the Trump administration that have drawn significant attention and concern regarding academic freedom and civil liberties. The administration has shown a consistent inclination to reshape various sectors through executive directives and assertive policies.
Pressures on Universities Nationwide
The pressure exerted on UPenn is not an isolated incident. The Trump administration has been accelerating attacks on academic freedom and shared governance across the nation, often leveraging federal funding. For instance, the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) have previously sued the administration over federal funding cuts to institutions like Columbia University and the University of California system. In March 2025, the lawsuit against the administration by the AAUP and AFT challenged the immediate cancellation of $400 million in federal funding to Columbia, arguing it forced the university to surrender its academic independence.
Similarly, the Harvard Faculty Chapter of the AAUP and the national AAUP filed a lawsuit in April 2025 to block the administration from demanding that Harvard University restrict speech and restructure its operations, under threat of canceling $8.7 billion in federal funding. In the University of California system, approximately $584 million in federal research grants were withheld, alongside demands to eliminate diversity scholarships and modify protest rules. A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction in November 2025, barring the administration from freezing or threatening federal funding to the UC system, emphasizing that funding cannot be conditioned on ideological conformity or unrelated policy changes.
Beyond funding, the administration has also issued directives requiring colleges and universities to disclose more student data to prove they are not considering race in their admissions processes, a move met with criticism from academic leaders. Other institutions like Barnard College have also faced similar probes for Jewish contacts as part of EEOC reviews.
Impact on National Identity and Rights
Further demonstrating its assertive policy approach, the administration has also made previous threats to revoke the citizenship of naturalized immigrants convicted of certain offenses, signaling a tightened stance on immigration and national identity. These broader actions provide a context for understanding the administration’s approach to higher education, which appears to be characterized by demands for compliance and a willingness to use federal resources as leverage to enforce its priorities. The concern among faculty and student groups at UPenn underscores a growing apprehension about the potential implications of such governmental interventions for academic institutions and civil liberties across the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the main event discussed in the article?
- Faculty at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), alongside significant academic and student organizations, have issued strong condemnations regarding a recent demand from the Trump administration for a “list of Jews” within the university.
- Which groups condemned the demand for “lists of Jews”?
- The condemnation was voiced publicly by the national chapter of the American Association of University Professors, its Penn chapter, the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School Jewish Law Students Association (JLSA), the Penn Association of Senior and Emeritus Faculty, and the American Academy of Jewish Research.
- What are the potential consequences for universities that do not comply with the administration’s higher education priorities?
- Universities that do not adhere to these priorities risk facing severe repercussions, including the potential loss of crucial federal funding.
- Has the Trump administration placed similar pressures on other universities?
- Yes, institutions like Columbia University and the University of California system have faced federal funding cuts. Harvard University also faced threats to strip federal funding for not restricting speech and restructuring operations. Barnard College faced probes for Jewish contacts.
- What federal agency is demanding the “list of Jews” from UPenn?
- The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is demanding this information from UPenn.
- What broader actions impacting civil liberties has the Trump administration taken?
- The administration has also made previous threats to revoke the citizenship of naturalized immigrants convicted of certain offenses.
Key Aspects of the Trump Administration’s Demands and Related Actions
| Aspect | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Demand for “lists of Jews” at UPenn | Faculty and student groups at UPenn condemn the request for names, personal emails, phone numbers, and home addresses of Jewish community members. | State-level |
| EEOC Lawsuit Against UPenn | The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) sued UPenn in November 2025 for its refusal to comply with demands for information related to an antisemitism investigation. | State-level |
| Threat to federal funding | Universities risk losing federal funding if they do not adhere to administration’s higher education priorities, impacting institutions like Columbia, Harvard, and the UC system. | Nationwide |
| Pressure on academic freedom | Administration actions challenge academic independence and free speech, as seen in various lawsuits and directives across universities. | Nationwide |
| Threats to revoke citizenship | Previous threats have been made to revoke the citizenship of naturalized immigrants convicted of certain offenses. | Nationwide |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Penn’s Division of Public Safety Increases Campus Security
EEOC Files Lawsuit Against University of Pennsylvania for Antisemitism
Author: STAFF HERE PHILADELPHIA WRITER
The PHILADELPHIA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhiladelphia.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mummers Parade, Philadelphia Flower Show, and Thanksgiving Day Parade. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Philadelphia, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, food services, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Comcast, Aramark, and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Pennsylvania's dynamic landscape.
