Penn University Stands Up to Government Request for Jewish Faculty and Staff Data

Penn University has taken a strong stance against a government request for personal information of Jewish faculty, staff, and students. The university argues that handing over such data is not only unnecessary but also raises serious privacy and safety concerns. The request came from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which is investigating allegations of antisemitism at Penn. The commission wants names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of employees, as well as details about Jewish student groups and those who have reported antisemitism. Penn has already provided over 900 pages of documents to the EEOC but refuses to hand over the requested personal information. The university believes the request is overly broad and could put individuals at risk.A group of over 150 Jewish professors, known as the Penn Faculty Alliance to Combat Antisemitism, supports Penn's decision. They are worried that the request could discourage people from joining Jewish groups and reminds them of historical persecutions. The EEOC's investigation started after a complaint was filed by Commissioner Andrea Lucas. The complaint was based on news reports, public statements, and testimonies, but Penn argues that the EEOC has not provided any specific incidents or practices to investigate. Penn has been working to address antisemitism on campus, including creating an office for religious and ethnic inclusion. However, some faculty members still feel targeted, such as those who went on a trip to Israel and faced backlash. The university believes that the EEOC could have used less intrusive methods to gather information, like setting up a website for voluntary reports. Penn is committed to continuing its efforts to combat antisemitism and make all students and faculty feel safe and welcome.