DePaul president apologizes for antisemitism on campus at congressional hearing
DePaul University's President Robert Manuel testified before the U.S. House Education and Workforce Committee Wednesday morning, apologizing for any harm caused to Jewish students, faculty and staff since the terrorist attacks by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023.
Manuel joined the presidents of Haverford College and California Polytechnic State University at the hearing in Washington, D.C. to address the rise of antisemitism on college campuses in the wake of Israel's response to the attacks and subsequent war in Gaza.
DePaul has taken concrete steps to ensure Jewish students are safe on campus since the attack, Manuel told the committee, including suspending pro-Palestine groups on campus, such as Students for Justice in Palestine, and banning another group called Behind Enemy Lines.
The university has also invited a former Anti-Defamation League expert to assist with 'Jewish engagement on campus,' Manuel said, and created a dedicated task force on anti-Semitism.
In April 2024, student groups at DePaul University, a longtime locus of student organizing in solidarity with Palestine, launched an encampment to protest the war, joining demonstrations on campuses across the country.
In the past year, Manuel said the university has made 'substantial investments' to increase security and safety across its Chicago campuses and has commissioned an external review of security programs to improve campus safety.
'Going forward, you have my commitment that we are focused on continuing to make real progress and take action,' Manuel said. 'As a person of faith, I'm personally committed to confronting anti-semitism wherever it appears in our institutions, in our communities, and in ourselves.'
In April, DePaul was sued for accusations of failing to address antisemitism following pro-Palestinian student demonstrations on campuses across the country last year.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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