Alpha Epsilon Pi, a Jewish fraternity in Isla Vista whose members include UC Santa Barbara students, was targeted by an incident of antisemitic vandalism on Jan. 10. 

According to reporting by the Jewish News Syndicate, the morning after a “social event,” fraternity members discovered a swastika drawn with shaving cream on a bathroom mirror after two individuals broke into a private residence where several fraternity members live. According to a post on X from the Anti-Defamation League, this is at least the fourth time since November that the fraternity chapter and its members have been targeted by antisemitism. 

Alpha Epsilon Pi did not respond to requests for comment.

According to a Jan. 13 campus-wide statement from UCSB Chancellor Dennis Assanis, the incident has been reported to local law enforcement, as well as UCSB’s Title IX Compliance & Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Office. Assanis said the University “condemns and stands united against antisemitism and any form of discrimination, intimidation, or harassment.”

This incident follows other reports and allegations of antisemitism related to UCSB. In May 2024, a federal civil rights complaint was filed against UCSB for allegedly allowing antisemitic harassment against then Associated Students President Tessa Veksler. Veksler is now suing the University for allegedly failing to protect her from antisemitic attacks. 

The Nexus will continue to report on this topic as more information becomes available.