UC Davis has formally disciplined assistant professor Jemma DeCristo over an October 2023 social media post that said “Zionist journalists” and their children should “fear us more.” An internal investigation found DeCristo largely cast herself as the “sole victim” of the resulting uproar and did not fully recognize the pain the post caused. The university ultimately imposed a one-quarter suspension, including a period without pay, while keeping her on the faculty.
According to The Sacramento Bee, the campus issued a formal notice of discipline signed by Chancellor Gary May and shared investigative findings with university leaders. The Bee reports that UC Davis hired the Oakland law firm London & Stout to conduct interviews and review evidence, resulting in a June 2024 report that described widespread fear and anger among students, staff and faculty. Dozens of interviews fed into the investigators’ conclusions.
The Chronicle of Higher Education obtained the investigative file through a records request and published key materials, including the exact wording of DeCristo’s post, which ended with knife, ax and blood-drop emojis. As the Chronicle reported, DeCristo told investigators she had used “intentionally hyperbolic and satirical language” meant to echo other posts and statements and said she did not intend a literal threat. Many of those interviewed nonetheless said the message sparked genuine fear and disruption on campus.
Investigators’ findings and discipline
Investigators concluded that DeCristo “failed to acknowledge the deep pain and significant disruption” triggered by her October post and said the message had a “tremendously disruptive impact” on campus operations, according to the Chronicle. A faculty advisory panel recommended issuing a letter of censure. Chancellor May went further and ordered a one-quarter suspension that included unpaid time, citing DeCristo’s lack of clarification or apology. The summaries of the investigation and the chancellor’s notice described the discipline as a response to harm to student learning and the campus climate, rather than a finding of criminal intent.
Donor fallout and departures
The Sacramento Bee reported that at least one donor withheld a six-figure contribution unless DeCristo was dismissed, and that two faculty members resigned, citing the controversy’s impact. The Bee also noted that one employee filed a police report about the post and that the episode damaged the university’s reputation and fueled fear among students and staff. Those reactions added to the pressure on UC Davis officials to complete a review process that stretched over many months.
What it means for UC policy
The case has become a focal point in a wider debate over how the University of California system handles faculty misconduct and free speech disputes. As reported by the Los Angeles Times, UC regents and administrators have discussed potential reforms, including stricter timelines, a systemwide case-tracking mechanism and the use of outside review panels to speed up lengthy disciplinary proceedings. Free speech scholars warn that punishing faculty members based on how others react risks creating a “heckler’s veto,” while critics of DeCristo’s post argue that disruption to students and perceived threats to campus safety can justify university intervention.
Campus reaction and next steps
Local Jewish organizations and campus Hillel groups condemned the post as violent and hate-filled, and community leaders urged UC Davis to respond quickly, according to Newsweek. The incident drew letters, formal complaints and demands for accountability from campus and regional groups. UC Davis has said it rejects violence and discrimination, and that it is trying to balance constitutional free speech protections with the need to safeguard students while it carries out recommendations that emerged from the review.
