A year-long investigation by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is set to examine the rise of antisemitism at American colleges, with particular scrutiny on Denver’s Auraria campus, where pro-Palestinian demonstrations took place last year.
The Colorado Advisory Committee of the Commission is organizing two public online meetings next month to discuss antisemitism at three universities in Colorado: the Community College of Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and the University of Colorado Denver, all situated on the Auraria campus.
On May 8, the advisory committee will vote on a draft project proposal that could include the Auraria campus in the investigation.
Ana Victoria Fortes, a civil rights analyst for the Commission, shared via email that the proposal may change following discussions during the meeting.
In contrast, Devra Ashby, a spokesperson for the Auraria Higher Education Center, stated that the campus had not been informed of the upcoming meetings but reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to maintaining a safe and inclusive environment for all members of the campus community.
Ashby emphasized that antisemitism and all forms of discrimination have no place on their campus.
The Commission, formed under the Civil Rights Act of 1957, voted unanimously on January 17 to initiate an inquiry titled “Federal Response to the Rise in Antisemitism on American College and University Campuses,” with findings expected by fiscal year 2026, which spans from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026.
As part of this investigation, the Commission will be assessing the actions and responses of the U.S. Department of Education and its Office of Civil Rights regarding antisemitic incidents reported on college campuses since October 2023.
This timeframe aligns with a significant escalation in conflict following Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel, which resulted in numerous casualties and hostages.
The Israeli military’s subsequent actions have led to a massive death toll among Palestinians, as well as widespread anti-war demonstrations throughout U.S. campuses, including a prolonged encampment at the Auraria campus, noted as Colorado’s largest anti-war protest.
During the January meeting, Commissioner Mondaire Jones underscored the Commission’s intention to include a range of perspectives in their approach to addressing the complexities surrounding this issue.
He reiterated the importance of distinguishing between protected speech and illegal conduct in the ongoing discussions regarding antisemitism on campuses.
The timing of these meetings is significant, coming in the wake of the Trump administration initiating federal investigations that threaten to retract federal funding from universities alleged to be facilitating antisemitic actions.
The administration criticized various institutions, including Harvard and Columbia, for allegedly allowing antisemitism to proliferate during protests linked to Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
In light of these developments, Harvard revealed its decision to pursue legal action against the federal government, as it seeks to challenge the demands placed on it regarding activism on its campus that could affect its funding.
Additionally, foreign-born students participating in protests against Israel’s actions have faced increasing scrutiny under the Trump administration, leading to visa revocations and immigration-related consequences.
Reports indicate that thousands of students from over 150 universities have encountered issues with their visas or legal status since late March, as documented by an Associated Press review.
A government lawyer recently noted that the federal government is now reversing the termination of legal statuses for these international students following numerous legal challenges across the nation.
The Colorado Advisory Committee’s virtual meetings are scheduled for 2 p.m. on May 8 and 3 p.m. on May 21, allowing for public comments on the matter.
In addition to the meetings, the committee will also conduct virtual briefings in July and August as part of the investigation process.
Citizens are encouraged to submit written comments about the topic within 30 days after the meetings, with submissions directed to Evelyn Bohor at [email protected], including “Colorado Committee” in the subject line.
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