Graffiti and Threats Response

Since fall 2025, San José State University has experienced a series of concerning incidents involving antisemitic, racist graffiti and hateful graffiti and explicit threats directed at multiple communities, occurring within a relatively short time frame and creating significant unease on campus.

The university condemns hate, violence and threats of violence. There is no place for antisemitism and racism at SJSU.

Reports emerged in late October and early November 2025, when racist graffiti containing slurs was found in a campus housing facility and subsequently discovered in an academic building. The graffiti included overtly extremist imagery such as swastikas and language targeting multiple groups, including Asian, Jewish, and Muslim communities.

The situation escalated further around November 18–19, when graffiti discovered in a bathroom in MacQuarrie Hall included a direct threat of a mass shooting on specified dates and warned certain groups to avoid campus. Although law enforcement ultimately assessed the threat as not credible, the specificity and repeated nature of the incidents led to heightened concern across our campus community.

During the month of March, three separate graffiti incidents have occurred in academic buildings specifically targeting SJSU's Jewish community and more racist language directed at African Americans has been discovered in student housing.

In each case, the graffiti has been promptly removed. The university has increased police patrols, added surveillance cameras and lighting, and coordinated with federal authorities, including the FBI. Investigations continue in an effort to hold those responsible accountable for these unacceptable acts. 

SJSU has communicated with frequency and transparency about the events to keep the campus informed.

The incidents have disrupted campus life and prompted both immediate security measures and longer-term conversations and outreach about safety and inclusion at SJSU.