Addressing Recent Reports of Antisemitism

Dear Members of the Drexel Community,

Over the last few days, we have become aware of claims that surfaced on social media alleging that a Drexel student was involved in an antisemitic event at Barstool Sansom Street. First and foremost, I assure you that Drexel takes all allegations of this nature with the utmost seriousness. The University unequivocally condemns antisemitism in all its forms, does not tolerate any such conduct and remains committed to fostering a safe and respectful environment for all members of its community.

Since becoming aware of allegations that a Drexel student may have been involved in this incident, the University conducted a review of the information available to determine any student involvement. At this time, there is no evidence that any current Drexel student was connected to the event. I encourage community members to exercise caution when engaging with unvetted information on social media. The University has reporting processes aligned with federal law to help determine the facts and properly assess, analyze and respond to reports of discrimination and harassment. If anyone has additional facts to share regarding this incident, I urge you to follow our procedures for reporting by contacting Drexel’s Office of Civil Rights Compliance by phone at 215.895.1405 or by email at civilrights@drexel.edu.

A separate matter involving a Drexel student’s garment designs for a fashion event has also come to our attention. This incident is unrelated to the Barstool event and the University is actively addressing it in accordance with our established policies and procedures.

These unsettling events can affect individuals within our community. The University has a number of other resources to support those impacted. Students can reach out to counseling professionals by calling 215.895.1415, or after regular business hours at 215.416.3337. Counseling services can also be reached at counsel@drexel.edu. Employees can seek counseling assistance through Drexel’s Employee Assistance Program. The Office of Spiritual and Religious Life is also available to all members of the University community.

In closing, let me make abundantly clear that the University firmly condemns all forms of antisemitism or discrimination against any group, including hate speech. We will continue our efforts to create a community where everyone feels safe, valued and welcomed. Please look out for and support one another as we continue to uphold this shared commitment.

Sincerely,

Denis P. O’Brien
Interim President