antidiscrimination training

Temple University Announces it Will Provide Anti-discrimination Training

Temple University has pledged to improve its approach to combating discrimination on campus through comprehensive training and a detailed review of past complaints. This commitment comes as part of a resolution agreement with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR), following a series of reported incidents involving antisemitism, anti-Muslim, and anti-Palestinian behavior during the 2022-2024 school years.

The agreement outlines specific measures, including mandatory anti-discrimination training for all students and staff by May 2025, an extensive campus survey to assess the prevalence of such incidents, and a review of how complaints were handled over the past two years.

antidiscrimination training

Incidents Under Review

Reports cited by the OCR highlight a range of troubling episodes, including vandalism, harassment, and inflammatory rhetoric at protests. Notable examples include the vandalism of an Israeli flag at the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity, a swastika drawn on a dorm room door, and incidents of students being targeted based on their religion or nationality.

One protest saw demonstrators chanting slogans outside Temple’s Hillel building, while another incident involved students walking out of a law class while chanting controversial slogans. These events, among others, raised concerns about whether the university effectively addressed the cumulative impact of such incidents on its community.

Temple’s Plan for Improvement

Temple President John A. Fry emphasized the university’s dedication to creating an inclusive campus environment. While the OCR acknowledged Temple’s proactive measures, it noted deficiencies in addressing whether individual incidents collectively created a hostile environment. The university plans to analyze the results of a climate survey within 90 days of its completion to identify further steps for improvement.

Temple has already implemented new policies for demonstrations and hosted educational sessions on antisemitism. Additional measures include annual training for staff handling discrimination complaints and the establishment of an Interfaith Inclusion Center.

As the university moves forward, Fry reaffirmed its commitment to addressing hate and fostering inclusivity, recognizing the importance of robust systems to support a safe and respectful campus for all.

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