By Jennifer Ward and Arlenis Marmolejos
On March 10, the United States Department of Education (DOE) announced in a press release that 60 universities and colleges were under federal investigation for claims of antisemitic discrimination and harassment. Purchase College was included on this list.
The investigation focuses on ensuring that universities uphold their responsibilities under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in educational settings.
The U.S. DOE’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) sent letters to the 60 institutions, warning them of potential enforcement actions if they fail to maintain a safe and inclusive environment for Jewish students, including access to campus facilities and educational opportunities without disruption.
A StandWithUs Title VI complaint was filed on August 20 of 2024 by Hillel, a Jewish campus organization, to the OCR targeting the alleged antisemitic leadership of the Purchase Student Government Association (PSGA).
Purchase, along with two other State University of New York (SUNY) institutions, including Binghamton University and Rockland Community College, is named on the investigation list.
In a statement sent to The Phoenix, a SUNY spokesperson said, “SUNY has no tolerance for antisemitism and will continue to ensure that our campuses are safe and inclusive for Jewish students and free from all forms of discrimination and harassment.”
“SUNY has frequently and consistently publicly condemned antisemitism, opposed BDS [Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions], and taken major steps to ensure compliance with all federal civil rights laws,” the statement continued. “The safety and security of our students is and always will be paramount.”
This investigation follows a five-day-long protest from May 2 to 6 of 2024, where members of the Purchase community held an encampment, where students and faculty camped outside protesting the current conflict in Gaza. On May 2 of the protests, over 70 faculty members and students were arrested in the Quad. This led to an over five-hour-long meeting held on May 6 among administration, select faculty, and students, in which President Milly Peña agreed to demands set by the student-led political group Raise the Consciousness (RTC). However, Purchase did not meet these agreements.
The University Police Department (UPD) did not respond to The Phoenix’s request for comment in a timely manner.
The Purchase Solidarity Coalition (PSC), a student-led political group in solidarity with RTC, wrote in a statement to The Phoenix, “The DoE's so-called investigations are part of an ongoing smear campaign against students opposing our universities' financial backing of the US/Israeli genocide of the Palestinian people.”
RTC and PSC also stated that antisemitism has “no place in [their] activism” and rejected the “conflation” of antisemitism and anti-zionism.
“The student movement will not be silenced, nor will we play along with accusations that ultimately implicate all Jewish people in the butchery of Gaza and illegal occupation of the West Bank,” wrote PSC. “We will continue to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, and with all occupied peoples across the globe.”
Peña sent out an email to faculty and staff on March 12, acknowledging the DOE letter, but not specifically stating that Purchase was among those 60 colleges listed.
Peña declined The Phoenix’s request for an interview, and forwarded the email, stating, “Purchase College takes our obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act seriously and we will continue to strongly condemn hatred, bigotry, racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, intolerance, and violence in all of its forms.”
In the email, Peña states that Purchase has a “collective responsibility” to ensure students have “the right to study and learn in an environment that is free from harassment and discrimination.” She also stated that Purchase would take action against students who “engage in such acts.”
Peña also stated the importance of Purchase’s time, place and manner policies and the mandatory Title VI training for faculty and staff over the past year. She further highlighted the Purchase Bias Response Team, a cross-responsive team of Purchase community members that “review, assess, and respond to crisis level high-impact global campus-wide incidents of bias and/or discrimination that may occur.”
Peña also noted that Purchase joined the Hillel Campus Climate Initiative, a year-long program in collaboration with Hillel International, to “address antisemitism and foster a positive climate for Jewish and all students.”
Hillel did not respond to The Phoenix’s request for comment in a timely manner.
The Faculty Presiding Officer and Chair of the College Senate, Andrew Salomon, said in a statement to The Phoenix, “In matters such as these, it's essential that Purchase College speaks with one voice. That voice belongs to President Peña, and I support her wholeheartedly.”
Ombudsman Paul Nicholson in a statement to The Phoenix said that he welcomes the investigation, stating, “It saddens me that Purchase became an unfriendly place for many Jewish students last year.”
“Jewish students and staff were intimidated, harassed, and made to feel unsafe on campus,” Nicholson added. “This behavior can never stand on a college campus or anywhere in society for that matter. Let’s hope the probe leads to real change.”
PSGA President Sophia Pallozzi explained the importance of considering different perspectives. “I think that it’s important to remember to see where everyone is coming from and always hear both sides. Student safety is important,” she said.
The Chapter of Alumni for Campus Fairness (ACF) is a nationwide nonprofit, in which a group of Purchase alumni have formed the Purchase chapter. The ACF aims to “address on-campus antisemitic rhetoric and incidents through respectful dialogue with stakeholders.”
In a statement to The Phoenix, Janet Heit, a Purchase alumna and one of ACF's members, said that they are “strong supporters of free speech but not actions that intimidate or demean Jews.” Heit also stated that they hope the Title VI complaint will be handled in an “open and honest fashion,” which will lead to a productive debate and dialogue on campus. "From the information we have gathered, and continue to gather, our sense is that many Jewish students, faculty, and staff do not feel welcome and properly supported on the Purchase campus.”
Heit emphasized that the ACF is a resource for members of the Purchase community. They hope to “restore the sense of community that nurtures diverse cultures, opinions, and creative exploration.”
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