The Colorado Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights last week approved a proposal to examine whether antisemitism is present on the Auraria Campus, including the three campus higher-education institutions.
Though Metropolitan State University of Denver has not received notice of proceedings, the University is committed to cooperating on its part of the review, which was spurred by a national investigation into antisemitism on college campuses by the independent U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
The Colorado Advisory Committee, a local subcommittee of the federal commission, voted unanimously to examine the “presence and/or absence of antisemitism” on campus, said David Fine, MSU Denver general counsel. Fine spoke with the Early Bird about the investigation.
Q: What is the nature of the civil-rights inquiry involving the Auraria Campus and its affiliated universities and colleges?
A: According to the project proposal, the Colorado Committee’s review will focus on campus policies, responses and reporting mechanisms related to antisemitic incidents. The project plan references news reports alleging antisemitism related to last spring’s encampment (a protest related to Israeli actions in Gaza). However, it’s important to note that the University received only two complaints of alleged antisemitism during the encampment, along with three claims of alleged anti-Muslim behavior.
Q: What will the process involve, and what should the campus community expect next?
A: Public briefings and testimony are expected between July and October, with any findings potentially included in the national commission’s report to Congress to follow next year. The Colorado Committee’s vote to approve the review carries no financial or operational impact to MSU Denver. And unlike the U.S. Department of Justice, which is conducting investigations into protests at other universities across the country, the Civil Rights Commission has no law-enforcement authority but rather makes policy recommendations to Congress.
Q: How has the University responded to the Colorado Committee’s vote last week?
A: While we have not yet received formal notice, we’re committed to cooperating fully and will keep the MSU Denver community informed. We are also preparing for the committee’s potential questions, including providing information on our antidiscrimination policies, clarifying roles and responsibilities on our shared campus and noting that most encampment organizers had no campus affiliation. And those who were affiliated and found to have violated policy were held accountable.
