A settlement has been reached in a complaint alleging Pomona College allowed discrimination and harassment of Jewish students.
On Wednesday, Dec. 10, the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, Hillel International, and the Anti-Defamation League, in a joint release, said the settlement would lead to the adoption of reforms designed to address antisemitism and enhance protections for Jewish and Israeli students at the college.
Pomona College, one of the seven Claremont Colleges, was named in a federal complaint to the U.S. Department of Education filed in April 2024, for “permitting severe discrimination and harassment of Jewish students in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.”
The organizations allege the college experienced an increase in antisemitic incidents following Oct. 7 terrorist attacks on Israel from Hamas. The college was one of many across Southern California and the country to see pro-Palestinian protests against Israel’s military actions in Gaza on its campus.
The complaint was filed a week after the college’s Board of Trustees agreed to negotiate with protesters and vote on divesting from Israel.
Under the terms of the settlement the college will update its non-discrimination policy, website, and training material to reflect the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism and guidance from the Office of Civil Rights, according to the Dec. 10 release.
The college will appoint a Title VI coordinator who will oversee the college’s compliance and make sure investigations of antisemitism complaints are overseen by trained administrators.
Policy will also be updated to govern student conduct, including strengthening time, place, and manner rules for demonstrations. Policy changes will also prohibit masked protests and revise Encampment Policy that includes clear definitions and enforceable prohibitions.
The college will also become a full participant in Hillel International’s Campus Climate Initiative and will establish an Advisory Council on Jewish Life and Antisemitism, which will include representation from the executive director of Claremont Hillel and Claremont Chabad.
A mediator from the Office of Civil Rights helped reach the agreement, which resolves the complaint and a subsequent investigation.
This is a developing story, check back for more information.
