UPenn faculty condemn Trump administration’s demand for ‘lists of Jews’

"Papers please mein herr" for anyone who isn't white. People dragged off the streets and taken into custody in unknown camps. Proposing to invade nearby countries for more lebensraum. Creating lists of Jews.

You know, I could swear I read about this happening somewhere else a while back.

Trogdor the Burninator said:

"Papers please mein herr" for anyone who isn't white. People dragged off the streets and taken into custody in unknown camps. Proposing to invade nearby countries for more lebensraum. Creating lists of Jews.

You know, I could swear I read about this happening somewhere else a while back.

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Pretty sure the intent is just a little different here...

If I were Jewish, my objection would be that I don't trust the government to keep the info away from hackers if it were turned over, so someone who's actually antisemitic could get their hands on the info.

...but is anyone honestly thinking that Trump (who basically gets dog walked by Netanyahu on a twice monthly basis) would have his sights set on "round up all the Jews"?

If anything, I would be more suspecting that his administration would want the list for more self-serving purposes going in the other direction. Like being able to reach out to them individually to see if a few of them will attest to being harassed or passed over for promotions in order to spin some sort of narrative about a university being "too pro-Islam, and too anti-Israel"

You think BiBi or Adelson would let their boy do anything bad in that regard?

ThatRobGuy said:

Pretty sure the intent is just a little different here...

If I were Jewish, my objection would be that I don't trust the government to keep the info away from hackers if it were turned over, so someone who's actually antisemitic could get their hands on the info.

...but is anyone honestly thinking that Trump (who basically gets dog walked by Netanyahu on a twice monthly basis) would have his sights set on "round up all the Jews"?

If anything, I would be more suspecting that his administration would want the list for more self-serving purposes going in the other direction. Like being able to reach out to them individually to see if a few of them will attest to being harassed or passed over for promotions in order to spin some sort of narrative about a university being "too pro-Islam, and too anti-Israel"

You think BiBi or Adelson would let their boy do anything bad in that regard?

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No, I don’t seriously think Trump is going to round up Jews, but the fact that the idea of “let’s make a list of Jews”, especially in the current climate, just shows how incompetent and out of touch the head of the EEOC is. Then again, she’s a Trump dei hire, so no surprise.

why would the university even know which students or faculty are Jewish?

I've filled out dozens of job applicaitons and university applications and the only time I ever marked my "religion" was when I signed up for this website.

Hans Blaster said:

why would the university even know which students or faculty are Jewish?

I've filled out dozens of job applicaitons and university applications and the only time I ever marked my "religion" was when I signed up for this website.

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DUHHH obviously they have photo's of the students in the files, so they are looking for THE nose along with holding a bag of money!!. knowing the people in the trump adminstration I'm not sure if this is a joke or what they were really doing.

Trogdor the Burninator said:

"Papers please mein herr" for anyone who isn't white. People dragged off the streets and taken into custody in unknown camps. Proposing to invade nearby countries for more lebensraum. Creating lists of Jews.

You know, I could swear I read about this happening somewhere else a while back.

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Be very careful about referring to real history. You might trigger someone with posting true historical facts. Speaking for a friend.

ThatRobGuy said:

Pretty sure the intent is just a little different here...

If I were Jewish, my objection would be that I don't trust the government to keep the info away from hackers if it were turned over, so someone who's actually antisemitic could get their hands on the info.

...but is anyone honestly thinking that Trump (who basically gets dog walked by Netanyahu on a twice monthly basis) would have his sights set on "round up all the Jews"?

If anything, I would be more suspecting that his administration would want the list for more self-serving purposes going in the other direction. Like being able to reach out to them individually to see if a few of them will attest to being harassed or passed over for promotions in order to spin some sort of narrative about a university being "too pro-Islam, and too anti-Israel"

You think BiBi or Adelson would let their boy do anything bad in that regard?

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Even if this were for "positive discrimination", future governments might not be so sympathetic to the people on this list, so being on it would still not be advisable.

Nithavela said:

Even if this were for "positive discrimination", future governments might not be so sympathetic to the people on this list, so being on it would still not be advisable.

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Bah! Since when has making lists of Jews ever resulted in anything bad?

Aryeh Jay said:

Bah! Since when has making lists of Jews ever resulted in anything bad?

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It might fall into the hands of the democrats.

Nithavela said:

It might fall into the hands of the democrats.

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I see your point, that would be terrible.

Maybe the EEOC is investigating. Maybe the following might be a reason:


1. Federal Investigation & Lawsuits
EEOC Antisemitism Investigation

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has been investigating Penn since 2023 over alleged antisemitic harassment and Penn’s handling of related complaints.

Recently the EEOC sued Penn for refusing to provide names and contact information of Jewish students, faculty, and staff as part of its probe. Penn argues releasing lists would threaten privacy and safety.

Jewish Students’ Lawsuit Dismissal

Jewish students filed a federal lawsuit in December 2023 alleging Penn “tolerated” or “permitted” antisemitic incidents following the Oct. 7, 2023 Israel–Hamas war. A judge dismissed most claims in 2025, finding insufficient evidence that Penn itself purposely discriminated, though allowed amendment of certain counts.

2. Campus Incidents and Reported Harassment
Antisemitic Vandalism & Threats

There have been swastikas and antisemitic messages drawn on campus facilities and buildings.

Penn Hillel was vandalized; an individual also entered the building shouting antisemitic comments and overturning furniture (no injuries reported).

Threatening Messages

Antisemitic threats have been sent via email to staff and Jewish community spaces, prompting investigations by university police and federal authorities.

Student Surveys & Perceptions

Surveys of Jewish students indicate that many have witnessed or experienced antisemitic behavior, and a substantial portion report feeling they sometimes have to hide their Jewish identity to avoid discrimination.

Nithavela said:

It might fall into the hands of the democrats.

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Yes, antisemites' and Jews' lives will be harder than they are now once you get the names.

Hans Blaster said:

why would the university even know which students or faculty are Jewish?

I've filled out dozens of job applicaitons and university applications and the only time I ever marked my "religion" was when I signed up for this website.

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They didn't ask when I was back in my 'applying to college days' either...unless they did and I'm just forgetting.

Although, in doing a little digging...it would appear that changed in the 2010's.

The "The Common App" (which refers to the "Common Application") has technically been around for a while, but didn't gain massive traction until things became more digital. And they did start asking that question in the 2010's, and only recently removed that question. Now it's a centralized application system with over 1,000 member universities participating in the system.

(2024)
The Common Application eliminated the religion question in 2021. Students could choose from a long dropdown menu of the world's religions—everything from Buddhist to Roman Catholic to Scientologist. Some students selected a checkbox, others didn't. But as I have always said about the college admissions process, just because you didn't select a checkbox about religion (or race) or even if the question is no longer asked of students, doesn't mean admissions officers don't assume.

When Common App eliminated the religion question from the template, many colleges added it to their own supplements. One could make an argument that this was important for a college to get a sense of the religions being represented in their admitted or enrolled pools. Another argument could be made that they were looking for students from certain religions and possibly limiting students from other religions. At different points in history, colleges have admitted to using quotas for certain racial and religious groups.

Interestingly, most colleges besides the religiously-affiliated ones, have removed the religion question from their supplements this year. This could be a result of ongoing claims of discrimination in college admissions and the impact of the protests that went on this past year on college campuses.


Now, there's a couple of explanations for why they opted to ask for that for about a decade... (neither of them great)

1) Trying to prioritize certain groups to fill diversity quotas (which is pandering and insulting)
2) Trying to "keep certain kinds of people out" (also not a great look)

ThatRobGuy said:

They didn't ask when I was back in my 'applying to college days' either...unless they did and I'm just forgetting.

Although, in doing a little digging...it would appear that changed in the 2010's.

The "The Common App" (which refers to the "Common Application") has technically been around for a while, but didn't gain massive traction until things became more digital. And they did start asking that question in the 2010's, and only recently removed that question. Now it's a centralized application system with over 1,000 member universities participating in the system.

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A "common app", eh? We had one too. It was the same form for all state campuses. I think you had to fill out different copy for each campus as the were in different cities with different admissions committees. Electronic would have been nice. The form was small and the boxes required some small writing. I could have sent them a 3.5" floppy.

ThatRobGuy said:

Should You Address Your Religion in Your College Application?

College counselor Sara Harberson discusses whether or not a student should reveal their religion in their college applications.

www.saraharberson.com

(2024)
The Common Application eliminated the religion question in 2021. Students could choose from a long dropdown menu of the world's religions—everything from Buddhist to Roman Catholic to Scientologist. Some students selected a checkbox, others didn't. But as I have always said about the college admissions process, just because you didn't select a checkbox about religion (or race) or even if the question is no longer asked of students, doesn't mean admissions officers don't assume.

When Common App eliminated the religion question from the template, many colleges added it to their own supplements. One could make an argument that this was important for a college to get a sense of the religions being represented in their admitted or enrolled pools. Another argument could be made that they were looking for students from certain religions and possibly limiting students from other religions. At different points in history, colleges have admitted to using quotas for certain racial and religious groups.

Interestingly, most colleges besides the religiously-affiliated ones, have removed the religion question from their supplements this year. This could be a result of ongoing claims of discrimination in college admissions and the impact of the protests that went on this past year on college campuses.

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If there was some sort of box, I definitely marked "decline to answer".

ThatRobGuy said:

Now, there's a couple of explanations for why they opted to ask for that for about a decade... (neither of them great)

1) Trying to prioritize certain groups to fill diversity quotas (which is pandering and insulting)
2) Trying to "keep certain kinds of people out" (also not a great look)

Click to expand...