Chapman faces lawsuit over claims of antisemitism

Graphic by Easton Clark, Photo Editor

Two Chapman University alumni, in partnership with the National Jewish Advocacy Center, are suing the university over claims that they were not supported by members of the administration in incidents of discrimination and antisemitism.

Matthew Mainen, head lawyer on the case, confirmed that he filed a complaint with the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights last year regarding the alleged discrimination his clients faced, resulting in Chapman being under federal investigation.

“We weren’t asking for anything crazy,” Mainen told The Panther. “We just wanted (the university) to ban (Students for Justice in Palestine) because we considered them a hate group and we wanted them to modernize the language student code has on antisemitism.”

Plaintiffs Eli Schechter and Talya Malka, who both graduated last spring, are cited in the complaints along with specific harassment and threats they received as Jewish students that began in October 2023.  Since then, the dispute has escalated to the courtroom, with the plaintiffs seeking monetary compensation.

In 2024, tensions between student organizations were high, with SJP launching a weeks-long encampment on campus and chalking controversial statements in the Attallah Piazza.

“The university president, (Daniele) Struppa, as well as his colleagues, were saying this kid crossed a line by issuing a death threat,” Mainen said. “The university, however, never meaningfully disciplined them.”

Schechter, who was the president of Students Supporting Israel (SSI) during his senior year, claimed that he was denied from attending an SJP meeting for having a Jewish last name. 

“My client Eli and his friend attempted to attend the event,” Mainen said. “Dean (Jerry) Price was present as they were being escorted out.” 

Michael Daniels, a senior creative writing major and SJP’s outreach coordinator, said the organization’s board is aware of the lawsuit, but is uncertain about the legitimacy of the claims made.

“None of the current executive board members know anything about the specifics or the validity of what is mentioned,” Daniels told The Panther.

He also advocated on behalf of the club's values.

“Chapman SJP has a culture of inclusivity and respect toward all people,” said Daniels.

In a letter sent to the university, Mainen also cited general discriminatory actions from protestors supporting Palestine, including a chalk drawing of the Israeli flag burning with the caption “fuck Israel,” and a chalk message by an SSI member being altered with a red upside-down triangle, which Mainen claimed is a reference to a Hamas propaganda video. 

Chapman has consistently stated its support for Jewish students, and the Fish Interfaith Center webpage states that they account for nearly a tenth of the student population.

The university sent The Panther an official statement saying, “We stand by our strong record of supporting Jewish students and continuing to do so is a priority and commitment for us, consistent with our mission and founding.”

In President Matt Parlow’s inauguration speech, he echoed this sentiment. 

“(Chapman faculty) are advancing free speech and civil discourse on our campuses and in the community, including educating others about the atrocities of the Holocaust and combating the persistence of antisemitism in society,” Parlow said.

Mainen disagreed, saying that the plaintiffs have “hundreds of pages” of evidence that the school was not interested in helping these students. 

“Schecter was a president of one of the largest Jewish groups on campus, and he certainly felt the university didn't support them,” Mainen said.

This is the latest installment of free speech discourse at Chapman, which spiked at the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war. Even as the ceasefire between the two nations reaches the month mark, it is unlikely that campus debate will see an end.