The Department of Education has launched an investigation into allegations of antisemitism at the University of Vermont following a civil rights complaint filed by a group of students.
"Jewish students have expressed fear about identifying publicly as Jewish, report hiding their Jewish identity, and have considered transferring out of UVM due to the hostile environment toward Jews," reads the complaint, which was filed by the legal advocacy group Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law with the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights.
The complaint alleges that "an environment of harassment and intimidation has existed at UVM for years, but it intensified in 2021 when a UVM [teaching assistant] repeatedly instigated hate against Jewish students who express support for Zionism, even threatening to lower their grades."
It also claims that "two student groups deliberately excluded Jewish students who expressed support for Zionism from membership, and the [UVM] Hillel building was pelted for nearly 40 minutes and vandalized."
According to the complaint, school officials knew of these alleged incidents, but they have "taken no steps to rectify the situation."
"Considering that this type of anti-Semitism — where Jews are shunned and excluded based on a key component of their Jewish identity — has been ignored by university administrators who have denied its existence for far too long. [The Office for Civil Rights] opening this investigation is significant," Alyza Lewin, the president of the Brandeis Center, told the Washington Free Beacon. "The investigation highlights that universities must pay attention when Jewish students are excluded and deprived of opportunities due to their Zionism."
Theodore Bunker ✉
Theodore Bunker, a Newsmax writer, has more than a decade covering news, media, and politics.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.