News Summary
Multiple groups associated with the University of Pennsylvania have filed a motion to join an ongoing federal lawsuit related to workplace antisemitism. The lawsuit, initiated by the EEOC, alleges that Penn has not complied with a subpoena for information concerning antisemitism complaints. The organizations, including faculty groups and the Jewish Law Students Association, have expressed concerns over privacy violations relating to membership lists and personal information being requested by the EEOC. This move highlights the tension between safeguarding individual rights and addressing workplace discrimination.
Philadelphia – Multiple Penn-affiliated groups have filed a motion to intervene as defendants in an ongoing federal antisemitism lawsuit against the University of Pennsylvania. This critical development, announced during a press conference on January 13, signals a new phase in the legal proceedings and occurred within the last 48 hours. The lawsuit was brought by the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in November 2025, alleging that the university failed to comply with a subpoena seeking detailed information on workplace antisemitism complaints and membership lists for various Jewish-related campus groups.
Penn-Affiliated Groups Seek to Join Lawsuit
The groups motioning to intervene include the national and Penn chapters of the American Association of University Professors, the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School Jewish Law Students Association, the Penn Association of Senior and Emeritus Faculty, and the American Academy of Jewish Research. If their motion is accepted by the court, these organizations would become defendants alongside the University of Pennsylvania in the federal lawsuit. The attorneys representing these groups, including the ACLU of Pennsylvania, Democracy Defenders Fund, and Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin and Schiller, argue that they have a direct personal stake and a unique interest in safeguarding their members’ distinct First Amendment freedoms.
The decision to intervene stems from concerns about the EEOC’s subpoena, which requested the creation and turnover of membership rosters for the Jewish Studies Program and Jewish and Jewish-affiliated campus organizations, along with personal contact information and addresses of Jewish members. The groups contend that this demand for “lists of Jews” is profoundly invasive and dangerous, infringing upon freedoms of speech, association, privacy, and religious liberty. A spokesperson for the Jewish Law Students Association stated that while acknowledging the EEOC’s efforts to address antisemitism, the group strongly opposes any government agency mandating the production of a blanket list of Jews, hoping the investigation proceeds in a way that supports, rather than threatens, the Jewish community.
The EEOC’s Lawsuit and Subpoena Enforcement
The EEOC’s action against Penn follows a Commissioner’s charge filed in December 2023, alleging that the university subjected its faculty and staff to antisemitic harassment, failed to address complaints effectively, and allowed the harassment to escalate. To investigate these allegations, the EEOC issued a subpoena in July 2025, requesting, among other things, the identification of witnesses to and victims of religious-based harassment, including their contact information. The EEOC sued the university in November 2025 for allegedly failing to comply with specific provisions of this subpoena.
The agency’s position is that Penn’s refusal to identify members of its workforce who may have been subjected to unlawful conduct obstructs the EEOC’s ability to investigate harassment, necessitating court intervention to secure full cooperation. The lawsuit emphasizes the EEOC’s commitment to combating workplace antisemitism, with a focus on college and university workplaces.
Context of Antisemitism Concerns at Penn
Concerns regarding antisemitism at the University of Pennsylvania have been ongoing. A student survey conducted by Penn Hillel in December 2025 indicated that 85% of respondents experienced, heard about, or witnessed “something antisemitic” at Penn.
The university has acknowledged incidents of antisemitism, with former President M. Elizabeth Magill describing occurrences such as swastikas painted in campus buildings, hateful graffiti, and threatening emails sent to staff members in 2023. An antisemitism task force created by the university in late 2023 conducted listening sessions and surveys that drew responses from hundreds of employees describing fear, exclusion, and mistreatment. However, Penn has maintained that it has cooperated extensively with the EEOC, providing over 100 documents, and has refused to turn over lists of Jewish employees or their personal contact information, citing privacy concerns and asserting that violating their privacy and trust is antithetical to ensuring the Jewish community feels protected and safe.
Federal Oversight and Anti-Discrimination Laws
The EEOC is the federal agency tasked with enforcing Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits workplace harassment and discrimination based on religion, national origin, and race. Harassment is illegal if it results in an adverse employment decision or is so frequent or severe that it creates a hostile work environment, even a single severe incident. Employers are prohibited from considering an employee’s or applicant’s Judaism in employment decisions and must reasonably accommodate Jewish employees’ religious beliefs and practices, unless doing so causes undue hardship.
This lawsuit against Penn is part of a broader federal focus on antisemitism in workplaces, particularly on college campuses, since late 2023. The EEOC has issued guidance for employers to ensure workplaces remain free from antisemitism, emphasizing the importance of policies, training, and prompt action to eradicate discriminatory animus. The federal government also has broad authority to revoke visas under certain circumstances, though Penn students have not been affected by federal visa revocations according to a State Department spokesperson.
The intervention by Penn-affiliated groups adds complexity to the ongoing legal dispute, highlighting fundamental tensions between government investigative powers and concerns about individual privacy and First Amendment rights within the academic community.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is the latest development in the federal antisemitism lawsuit against the University of Pennsylvania?
- Multiple Penn-affiliated groups have filed a motion to intervene as defendants in an ongoing federal antisemitism lawsuit against the University of Pennsylvania.
- Who initiated the federal lawsuit against the University of Pennsylvania?
- The lawsuit was initiated by the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
- What are the allegations in the lawsuit?
- The lawsuit concerns allegations that the University of Pennsylvania failed to comply with a subpoena seeking detailed information on workplace antisemitism complaints and membership lists for various Jewish-related campus groups.
- Which Penn-affiliated groups are seeking to intervene?
- The groups motioning to intervene include the national and Penn chapters of the American Association of University Professors, the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School Jewish Law Students Association, the Penn Association of Senior and Emeritus Faculty, and the American Academy of Jewish Research.
- Why are these groups seeking to intervene?
- These groups argue that they have a direct personal stake and a unique interest in safeguarding their members’ distinct First Amendment freedoms, particularly regarding the EEOC’s demand for membership rosters and personal contact information of Jewish individuals.
- What did a recent student survey reveal about antisemitism at Penn?
- A student survey conducted by Penn Hillel in December 2025 indicated that 85% of respondents experienced, heard about, or witnessed “something antisemitic” at Penn.
- What is the EEOC’s role in this type of case?
- The EEOC is the federal agency tasked with enforcing Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits workplace harassment and discrimination based on religion, national origin, and race.
Key Features of the Federal Antisemitism Lawsuit Against Penn
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Parties Involved | United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) as plaintiff, University of Pennsylvania as defendant, and Penn-affiliated groups (American Association of University Professors, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School Jewish Law Students Association, Penn Association of Senior and Emeritus Faculty, American Academy of Jewish Research) motioning to intervene as defendants. | State-level |
| Core Allegation | University of Pennsylvania’s alleged failure to comply with an EEOC subpoena for information on workplace antisemitism complaints and membership lists of Jewish-related campus groups. | State-level |
| Legal Framework | Federal EEO laws, specifically Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibiting workplace harassment and discrimination based on religion, national origin, and race. | Nationwide |
| Recent Development | Motion filed by Penn-affiliated groups on January 13 to intervene as defendants in the lawsuit. | State-level |
| Student Experience Data | 85% of Penn Hillel student survey respondents in December 2025 reported experiencing, hearing about, or witnessing “something antisemitic” at Penn. | State-level |
| Basis for Intervention | Protection of members’ First Amendment freedoms, particularly against government demands for lists of Jewish individuals. | Nationwide |
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