The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is accusing the University of Pennsylvania of obstructing its investigation into the university’s handling of Jew-hatred amongst its employees.
The federal agency stated on Tuesday that it is investigating allegations that university employees were subjected to antisemitic harassment, which the university failed to address adequately.
As part of the investigation, the EEOC requested that Penn identify victims and witnesses of the alleged instances of antisemitism. The university has refused, according to the agency.
“An employer’s obstruction of efforts to identify witnesses and victims undermines the EEOC’s ability to investigate harassment,” Andrea Lucas, chair of the agency, stated. “In such cases, we will seek court intervention to secure full cooperation.”
As a result, the EEOC is requesting that a federal judge enforce a subpoena for the university to submit the relevant information. (JNS sought comment from the agency.)
A university spokesman told JNS that “Penn has worked diligently to combat antisemitism and protect Jewish life on campus,” and has “cooperated extensively with the EEOC, providing over 100 documents, totaling nearly 900 pages.”
He added that the university “has only objected to providing the personal information and confidential information of Jewish employees without their consent, and over employees’ objections.”
“Penn provided the information of employee complainants who consented to have their information shared,” the spokesman told JNS.
The university “also offered to help the EEOC reach employees who are willing to speak with the agency by informing all employees of the investigation and how they could reach out to the agency,” he said. “The EEOC rejected that offer.”
