DePaul University President Testifies at Congressional Committee Hearing Aimed at Stopping the Spread of Antisemitism on American Campuses
DePaul University President Robert Manuel testified before the U.S. House Education and workforce Committee Wednesday May 7, 2025, apologizing for the harm that Jewish students endured after they were brutally attacked last November and addressing new measures to combat antisemitism on campus.
Wednesday May 7, 2025 was an important day for Jewish students everywhere as three university presidents met before the United States Committee on Education & Workforce for a congressional hearing. The hearing was centered on stopping the spread of antisemitism on college campus, after two Jewish students, represented by G&E and The Lawfare Project, filed a lawsuit in early April against DePaul University for allegedly failing to protect them.
Dr. Manuel spoke about the attack of two Jewish students Michael Kaminsky and Max Long that occurred on DePaul University’s campus in November 2024. He apologized for the University’s failures and, noting the school “had done significant review and learned from this” after failing to adhere to its own policies set in place just weeks before the attacks. Dr. Manuel announced that the school has added new security efforts to make sure all students are safe, including an identification verification and mask policy, as well as new limits on campus protests. He also discussed plans to invite a former Anti-Defamation League expert to help with Jewish engagement on the school’s campus and has created a task force dedicated to combatting antisemitism. Dr. Manuel also mentioned the University will have an external review of security programs to improve safety on campus.
The Presidents of Haverford College and California Polytechnic State University joined Dr. Manuel at the hearing to discuss the alarming rise of antisemitism on their campuses. While the hearing provided a platform for universities to outline their efforts in combatting antisemitism and improving campus safety, it’s clear that more work remains to be done. Accountability for DePaul University’s failure to protect students continues, and the investigation into the attacks in November 2024 remains ongoing.
Grant & Eisenhofer and The Lawfare Project continue to fight for justice on behalf of Mr. Kaminsky and Mr. Long, who experienced emotional and physical injuries after being assaulted during a peaceful protest. G&E’s Lisa Weinstein, Mr. Kaminsky and Mr. Long’s attorney, issued this statement about the hearing:
“I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Committee on Education & Workforce for offering the Jewish community glimmers of hope during this deeply troubling time, as antisemitism continues to rise on college campuses across the country.
Yesterday, my courageous client, Michael Kaminsky, shared his painful experience at DePaul University in Chicago—how isolated and vulnerable he felt when he was physically assaulted simply for being Jewish. Even more disturbing was that a campus safety officer stood just feet away, watching the attack unfold without intervening. Michael’s experience is not unique; it reflects a broader feeling of abandonment that so many Jewish Americans are experiencing today.
Seeing members of our government stand up and speak out for the Jewish community is profoundly moving. It sends a powerful message that we are not alone—that we have allies beyond the Jewish community, which represents just 2% of the U.S. population.
As both Michael’s attorney and a member of the Jewish community, I am forever grateful. This support gives us hope that all students, including Jewish students, can one day feel truly safe and protected on college campuses.”
