Congressional letter lays out new antisemitism allegations against Cal Poly
A congressional letter sent to Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong details new allegations of antisemitism on the university’s campus.
As first reported by Mustang News, the letter was sent to Armstrong and CSU Trustee Jack Clarke Jr. on April 21 by the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, in anticipation of Armstrong’s testimony before the committee about Cal Poly’s response to alleged antisemitism on campus.
The hearing, scheduled for Wednesday, May 7, comes as the Trump administration cracks down on perceived antisemitism and a rise in pro-Palestine protests on college campuses around the country amid Israel’s war in Gaza.
The letter sent to Armstrong repeats claims outlined by the Anti-Defamation League, an organization known for its pro-Israel advocacy, in its Campus Antisemitism Report Card, which originally gave Cal Poly an “F” rating. The rating was later raised to a “D” after Cal Poly implemented new policies, according to the report card website — and the boost occurred just days after Cal Poly announced a new antisemitism task force.
The Anti-Defamation League’s analysis found that Cal Poly had high levels of “hostile” and “anti-Zionist” students and faculty, and the university’s administration was marked down in the report for not publicly condemning antisemitic incidents on campus, according to the organization.
The House committee’s letter, which was published on its website, relied on these claims.
“Cal Poly’s Report Card notes that a number of antisemitic incidents have occurred on campus, including but not limited to, the verbal harassment of Jewish students and threatening graffiti spray-painted on school buildings saying ‘From Gaza to Cal Poly, let the intifada spread,’” the letter stated.
University spokesperson Matt Lazier confirmed to he The Tribune that the university received the letter.
“Cal Poly is committed to combating antisemitism and all forms of hate and has taken meaningful action to achieve this,” Lazier wrote. “We have received the committee’s request and have worked in good faith to provide the information requested. President Armstrong looks forward to testifying before the committee to share how the campus has worked to address antisemitism and ensure the entire community feels safe and secure so they can thrive.”
Letter says Cal Poly professor verbally harassed Jewish students
According to the document, the committee also received information about “alleged verbal harassment” of Jewish students by a Cal Poly professor. The committee received that information from “an individual with first-hand knowledge,” the letter said.
The incident allegedly occurred in April 2024 outside a lecture on campus by a former Israeli Defense Force soldier and was recorded by campus police, the letter said.
“The alleged harassment included a Cal Poly professor, while holding a Palestinian flag, confronting Jewish students and attendees in the lobby and stating ‘You are Zionists — you are part of the KKK,’” the letter reads. “The same professor, while standing in the lobby near the entrance, allegedly held the Palestinian flag over the face of a woman as she entered the lobby and stated “F--- Israel.’”
According to the letter, Armstrong is expected to respond to that allegation alongside the other antisemitism concerns in the May hearing.
“The upcoming hearing will enable the committee to hear from you firsthand, President Armstrong, about incidents of antisemitism that have taken place on campus under your watch, any disciplinary actions the university has taken in response to these incidents, and any broader changes that the school has made to address campus antisemitism,” it reads.
In the letter, the committee also requested records from Armstrong’s office, including documents showing any changes to university policies on student and faculty conduct, discrimination and harassment, or policies on masking or “facial coverings” after Oct. 7, 2023 — the date of Hamas’ attack on Israel.
The letter also requested meeting minutes or other meeting materials that have mentioned antisemitism since August 2023, and documents “relating to the relationship between Cal Poly and the Cal Poly Students for the Liberation of Palestine, Cal Poly Students for Justice in Palestine, and Cal Poly Jewish Voices for Peace groups,” including registration and budget documents.
Finally, the letter requested video footage captured by campus police of the alleged harassment of Jewish students by a Cal Poly professor or other footage of that protest.
The committee asked that the documents be provided, unredacted and unedited, by April 30.
This story was originally published May 2, 2025 at 10:00 AM.
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