US feds drop demand that UPenn provide list of Jews for antisemitism probe

The federal US Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC) drops a demand that the University of Pennsylvania provide federal investigators with a list of Jews on the campus.

The EEOC, during an investigation into alleged antisemitism on the Ivy League campus, had demanded a list of Jewish faculty, staff and students, along with personal identifying information.

The investigators said they needed the information to contact Jews and investigate antisemitism on the campus.

Jewish groups on the campus said that, while they supported efforts to rein in antisemitism, the “compelled cataloging of Jews” has historically been dangerous.

UPenn and free speech groups opposed the move, saying it raised privacy concerns and First Amendment concerns.

In a court filing, the EEOC and the university announce that the federal body had dropped the demand.

The EEOC said in the agreement that it will “not take any further measures” to enforce the demand and will not seek the material from the university.

In exchange, the university agrees to dismiss an appeal against the order.

The agreement does not give a reason for the dropped demand, and does not end the federal investigation into the university.