USF is one of 60 schools across the country under federal investigation for antisemitic discrimination and harassment.

The Department of Education sent letters to the universities on Monday, warning them of “potential enforcement actions” for not protecting Jewish students on campus in compliance with the Civil Rights Act.

The letter is the latest development in an ongoing attempt by President Donald Trump’s administration to tackle antisemitism at colleges and universities. 

Less than two weeks ago, a federal task force was created to visit 10 campuses – which didn’t include USF – that “experienced incidents of antisemitism,” according to the Department of Justice. 

Trump has also threatened to cease federal funding for institutions that allow “illegal protests” or expel and deport students who participate in the demonstrations.

USF spokesperson Ryan Hughes said USF aims to create an environment without discrimination or harassment “on any basis, including religious beliefs.”

“Antisemitism has no place in our society and will not be tolerated on our campuses,” Hughes said in a statement to The Oracle.

The future of the Department of Education itself, however, is uncertain. On Wednesday, over 200 employees in the agency’s Office for Civil Rights, which sent the letter to the universities, were laid off, according to the Associated Press. 

This has raised questions about how investigations or civil rights complaints will move forward. 

Just three months ago, a civil rights complaint was filed against USF by the Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), a group that organized protests to support Palestine. 

Related: USF student protesters file civil rights complaint against university

The group made the complaint in December, saying the university created policies to target the organization. SDS also said its student leaders received “retaliatory disciplinary charges,” according to the complaint. 

As examples of how USF has made its campuses a safe environment, Hughes pointed to an updated university policy that requires people to reserve a space on campus if they plan to gather with amplified sound or use additional structures, such as tents and tables. 

The university also updated a policy to explicitly prohibit antisemitism and Islamophobia. 

Related: Protesters at USF need pre-approval to gather with amplified sound and displays

The letter sent by the Department of Education, which was obtained by The Oracle through a public records request, does not specify “enforcement actions” universities might face. 

However, it mentions reprimands – including loss of federal funding and contracts – for Columbia University for the “school’s continued inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students.”

In 2024, Columbia University students organized a camp on the university’s lawn and in an academic building, calling for the school to sever its financial ties with Israel or companies that invest in Israel. 

Police arrested over 100 protesters, according to AP.

The protest inspired hundreds of other students to hold similar demonstrations on their own campuses, according to AP. 

On Friday, a joint task force, which includes the Department of Education and Department of Justice, canceled around $400 million in federal grants and contracts at Columbia. 

The letter also did not mention specific instances of antisemitism at USF. However, the Tampa campus saw multiple demonstrations in support of Palestine and USF’s divestment from companies that invest in Israel. 

The protests came to a head in late April 2024, when an encampment in support of Palestine led to the arrests of 13 protesters. Law enforcement also broke up one of the protests by releasing tear gas.

“Americans watched in shock as mobs of campus malcontents erected encampments, occupied buildings, and spit on, threatened, assaulted, and blocked Jewish students from going to class or traveling about campus freely,” the letter reads. 

Related: Pro-Palestine encampment protest at USF broken up by tear gas

The Oracle reached out to USF Hillel for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.

Hughes said USF is participating in the Campus Climate Initiative, a training provided by Hillel International to help university staff address antisemitism and help Jewish students feel comfortable on campus.

Hillel International is a “Jewish campus organization” at 850 institutions across the world, according to its website.

Under the Campus Climate Initiative program, the schools make “action plans” to tackle antisemitism on campus. It began this February and will end in December. 

Over 100 total institutions have participated in the program, according to the organization. 

Hughes said USF will continue working with community members to “counter” antisemitism.

“USF continues to take steps to ensure that the university is a safe, supportive and welcoming place for our students, faculty, staff and others,” he said.