UChicago is pursuing an investigation into signs displayed by a faculty member in his office window, per a March 30 University statement.
This is the University’s second investigation into alleged antisemitism on campus in the last month. On March 13, the University denounced the vandalism of a Maroons for Israel (MFI) installation on the quad as a violation of “the University’s longstanding commitment to free expression” and opened a UCPD investigation into the incident.
“The University received a complaint on Saturday, March 29, alleging that a faculty member was displaying an antisemitic sign inside a first floor office, near a window,” the March 30 University statement read.
“Upon discussion, the faculty member voluntarily removed the signage. The University has begun an investigation into the matter, pursuant to the University’s non-discrimination policy. Discrimination and harassment are antithetical to the University of Chicago’s values and have no place in our community.”
In a statement, the Chicago Jewish Alliance (CJA)—a Jewish advocacy organization—told the Maroon that they had reported the signs to the University. CJA declined to provide a letter they sent to University President Paul Alivisatos, saying they wanted to give the University “the space to act in good faith.”
“We contacted the University of Chicago after identifying a faculty member whom we believe put up a flyer outside the offices in the chemistry building—a flyer that called to “deport Zionists” and promoted other inflammatory, anti-Zionist, and antisemitic rhetoric. These actions cross a line—not only in their targeting of students based on identity and belief, but in their invocation of language historically used to marginalize and endanger Jews.
To the University’s credit, they responded promptly and stated that an investigation is underway. We thanked them for their initial response, but followed up to make clear that transparency and accountability are critical as this process moves forward.
We are intentionally not naming the individual at this time. We believe the University deserves the opportunity to take meaningful and responsible action without the situation becoming unnecessarily inflamed. But we also want to be clear: this is not simply about a flyer. It is about ensuring that the University is a place where all students—including Jewish and Zionist students—can feel safe and respected.
Words matter. But actions matter more. We are watching closely, and we hope the University will lead by example.”
StopAntisemitism, a “grassroots watchdog organization,” also posted about a sign at UChicago displaying messages it called “blatant antisemitism and xenophobia” on March 28.
“University of Chicago – Outside a chemistry professor’s classroom, a sign filled with propaganda reads, ‘DEPORT ISRAELIS.’ This is blatant antisemitism and xenophobia which is completely unacceptable, @UChicago. An investigation is needed,” StopAntisemitism’s post on X read.
In a statement, StopAntisemitism Executive Director Liora Rez told the Maroon “StopAntisemitism applauds the administration’s swift action to remove the xenophobic signage and investigate the matter.” Rez called on UChicago’s administration to discipline the faculty member deemed responsible for the signs “to the fullest extent.”
The Maroon could not confirm whether the University’s March 30 statement and StopAntisemitism’s tweet referred to the same set of signs. The University declined to confirm the identity of the involved faculty member or to comment on whether their statement was about the signs in StopAntisemitism’s post.
The signs that StopAntisemitism posted about read, in part (retaining original formatting), “ISRAEL MURDERED 18000 CHILDREN… ISRAEL MUST PAY FOR THE MURDERS AND DESTRUCTION.”
“DEPORT SCHOOL BOMBERS AND CHILD MURDERERS,” one sign read in large black and red letters. “DEPORT ISRAELIS.”
Commenting on the University’s March 30 statement, MFI told the Maroon the organization was “glad to see the University enforce its values and await[ed] the results of the investigation.”
The University’s March 13 and March 30 announcements come as the Trump administration targets institutions of higher education across the country for perceived antisemitism.
On March 13, the Trump administration told Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson that the Federal Task Force to Combat Antisemitism would be directing its attention to antisemitism at Chicago-area schools.
The Task Force to Combat Antisemitism’s March 13 letter to Johnson and the mayors of New York City, Boston, and Los Angeles informed them that the Trump administration “was aware of allegations that the schools in their respective cities may have failed to protect Jewish students from unlawful discrimination, in potential violation of federal law.”
Since then, international students and faculty at Columbia, Cornell, and Tufts, among others, have been detained by immigration officers or had visas revoked for their pro-Palestine statements and activities which the Trump administration considers antisemitic.
Nathaniel Rodwell-Simon contributed reporting.
Editor’s note, March 31, 2025, 9:40 p.m.: This article has been updated to include a statement from the Chicago Jewish Alliance.
Editor’s note, April 2, 2025, 3:15 p.m.: This article has been updated to include a statement from StopAntisemitism.
Micah / Apr 1, 2025 at 9:09 am
My daughter applied to grad school at UChicago. You owe it to the community, to students, and to parents to identify this professor by name. Allowing him to hide in anonymity is a cowardly thing to do. Do your due diligence as journalists and name him.