DePaul University president testifying at congressional hearing on antisemitism on college campuses
DePaul University President Dr. Robert Manuel said in testimony before Congress on Wednesday that the university stands firmly against antisemitism.
Manuel testified along with the leaders of Haverford College in Pennsylvania and California Polytechnic State University. His remarks came as several university leaders face the House Education and Workforce Committee for a hearing on reports of antisemitism on campuses.
During Manuel's opening statement, he said DePaul has added new security efforts to make sure all students are safe.
"We just implemented a new ID verification and mask policy. We've introduced new limits on campus protests through our time, place, and manner restrictions. We've enforced them," he said.
Manuel's appearance before Congress comes after two Jewish students sued DePaul, saying the school didn't protect them from an attack last fall that is being prosecuted as a hate crime.
Max Long and Michael Kaminsky said they were outside the student center in November 2024 when two masked attackers punched them as they showed support for Israel. The incident happened during Israel's war with Gaza.
In his testimony, Manuel affirmed support for the Jewish community, and apologized for mistakes.
"I also wish to speak directly to two of our students who were attacked last November," he said. "What happened to them was a hate crime. No one should ever be attacked because of who they are, and I am sorry for the pain that they are experiencing."
Manuel laid out steps DePaul has taken to fight antisemitism.
"For example, we have just implemented a new ID verification and mask policy," Manuel said. "We've introduced new limits on campus protests through our time, place and manner restrictions. We've enforced them."
Manuel said two student groups currently are suspended from operating on campus — including Students for Justice in Palestine — and the university has banned a third group that is not led by students.
DePaul was one of the universities that held large-scale pro-Palestinian protests and erected a pro-Palestinian encampment in the spring of 2024 at the height of the war between Israel and Hamas following the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
Republicans on the committee called attention to the encampment that took over the quad for 17 days.
"So you knew yourself there was a problem, but decided not to remove it why?" said U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Michigan).
"At that moment, we realized that the security and safety of everybody was in jeopardy," said Manuel. "That is the moment we decided to work with CPD."
"And it took you six days?" McClain said.
DePaul shut down the encampment with help from Chicago Police.
Meanwhile, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union also testified Wednesday, and said the committee hearing was an attempt to chill protected speech.
That view was shared by a coalition of DePaul students who condemned Manuel's testimony — including leaders of Students for Justice in Palestine and Jews for Justice. They say the committee is "weaponizing claims of antisemitism to suppress Palestinian human rights advocacy" on campuses.
"You are actively stripping Palestinians of their right to protest against the genocide and mass slaughter of our families," a protester said at a rally in front of the DePaul Student Center Wednesday afternoon.
At the protest, members Students for Justice in Palestine said they learned from the president's testimony that the group had been suspended.
President Trump has used antisemitism as a way to attack several colleges and universities and to strip them of funding, including Northwestern University. His Department of Education said the pro-Palestinian activities and encampments comprise a violation of Title IX of the Civil Rights Act.
