The National Jewish Advocacy Center and attorneys representing Jewish students at Colorado College have filed a federal complaint against the school.

The complaint filed Friday alleges that the college administration did nothing to address increased antisemitic harassment and discrimination on campus after the start of the Israel-Hamas war last year.

The complaint goes on to say that CC’s Jewish students’ civil rights were violated, because of pro-Palestinian events and demonstrations that occurred last year created a “hostile environment” that was never addressed by administrators, despite repeated requests that action be taken.

“Colorado College must be held accountable for antisemitic acts that are occurring on campus and by staff,” said Jason Torchinsky from Holtzman Vogel in a news release.

“This directly violates the fundamental rights of individuals, and our legal action reaffirms Holtzman Vogel’s commitment to ensuring every person, regardless of background, can learn in an environment free from discrimination.”

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 601 specifies that no U.S. citizen “on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”

The program, in this case, is the education provided by CC since it receives federal funding. The complaint is requesting that the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights initiate an investigation into the school.

Instances of discrimination mentioned in the complaint include “genocidal chants; antisemitic slurs … and a general atmosphere of palpable hatred directed at Jews and Israelis.”

Last year, after the Oct. 7 Hamas assault on Israel, multiple pro-Palestinian demonstrations occurred on campus throughout the school year. A pro-Palestinian encampment was also built on CC’s Tava Quad in the days leading up to graduation.

Colorado College pro-Palestinian encampment dismantled ahead of graduation

The complaint alleges that these demonstrations were effectively “pro-Hamas” and antisemitic, and that school leadership did nothing to address them after concerns were raised by multiple Jewish students and parents.

It goes on to allege that acts of solidarity for Israel by Jewish students didn’t receive the same consideration or approval process as the pro-Palestinian demonstrations and that the school failed to prioritize filling its coordinator of Jewish life vacancy after Oct. 7.

CC’s official policy on freedom of expression states that students, staff and faculty can participate in protests and demonstrations as long as they don’t disrupt college business or activities, endanger others or engage in illegal activity.

Colorado College released a statement Tuesday, saying it won’t comment “on pending legal matters and specific allegations” before stressing “in the strongest possible terms that we condemn antisemitism and all forms of discrimination and harassment.”

Along with addressing the past instances mentioned in the complaint, the complaint requests that the college develop an antisemitism taskforce, review its existing policies and procedures to comply with Title VI, and ensure that they sanction anyone who doesn’t comply with these new measures.

“Schools that take federal funding have an affirmative obligation to maintain a discrimination-free environment,” National Jewish Advocacy Center CEO and Director Mark Goldfeder said in the release.

“Colorado College has repeatedly failed to protect its Jewish community, and, even when they were warned, the administration displayed a painful degree of deliberate indifference. We hope that this complaint will help them find their way, if not to contrition, then at least to compliance.”

Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, National Jewish Advocacy Center and Holtzman Vogel have filed multiple lawsuits representing Jewish individuals against pro-Palestinian organizations.

The full complaint can be read below:

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