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Pomona College – U.S. Department of Education – Office of Civil Rights Complaint

From April 2024 to December 2025
Pomona College (Private college or university)
Claremont, CA

Identity of Speakers

  • The Anti-Defamation League
    Unaffiliated
    Other

    National organization that monitors and responds to antisemitism and works to protect the civil rights of Jewish people.

  • The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law
    Unaffiliated
    Other

    Nonprofit legal advocacy organization focused on combating antisemitism, protecting civil rights, and defending the rights of Jewish students on college campuses.

  • Hillel International
    Unaffiliated
    Other

    Global organization that supports Jewish life on college campuses, providing educational, cultural, and social programs while advocating for the well-being of Jewish students.

Resources

Additional Information

  • Incident Nature:
    Other
  • Incident Political Orientation:
    Not Clear
  • Incident Responses:
    University administration changed university policy as a consequence
    Title IX or other federal statute
    Other
  • Incident Status:
    No litigation
  • Was Speech Code incident

Summary

In April 2024, Jewish civil rights organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League, the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, and Hillel International, filed a federal complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights at Pomona College. The complaint alleged that the college permitted a hostile environment for Jewish students in the wake of pro-Palestinian protests following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel. The organizations argued that the college’s response to demonstrations and campus climate issues violated civil rights protections based on national origin or shared ancestry.

On December 10, 2025, Pomona College reached a voluntary resolution agreement with the organizations regarding the complaint. The college agreed to adopt formal definitions related to antisemitism, revise its nondiscrimination policies, and implement structural changes including hiring a Title VI civil rights coordinator and establishing a Jewish Life and Antisemitism Advisory Council. The agreement included mandatory Title VI training for students, faculty, and staff, revisions to demonstration and protest policies, and procedures for considering whether the use of the word “Zionist” in context could signal discriminatory intent. The settlement was set to take effect in Spring 2026 and remain in place for multiple academic semesters. The resolution also outlined steps to improve reporting and investigation of complaints, ensure broader awareness of anti-discrimination protections, and foster engagement between campus administration and Jewish student organizations.

Pomona College’s president stated that the administration took the concerns seriously and emphasized commitments to providing a supportive and inclusive environment while protecting free speech, peaceful protest, and academic freedom. The college described the resolution as part of broader efforts to address discrimination based on shared ancestry, with the goal of fostering a campus climate where students could feel safe and respected. Jewish student leaders described the agreement as a positive step toward clearer expectations and constructive dialogue around antisemitism. The settlement drew criticism from some civil rights advocates, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations and CAIR-Los Angeles, who warned that it could limit expression on Middle East politics and called on the college to safeguard diverse viewpoints. These events reflected broader national attention on campus environments amid tensions over pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel activism.