Campus Alert Archive
Cornell

Online antisemitic threats against Jewish students; student arrested, classes canceled

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NYthreat of violenceemergency notificationhigh confidence
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Confirmed Threat

On October 28-29, 2023, a series of violent antisemitic threats targeting Cornell University's Jewish community were posted on the GreekRank online forum, including threats to shoot up the kosher dining hall and kill Jewish students. Patrick Dai, 21, a Cornell junior from Pittsford, New York, was arrested on October 31 and federally charged, leading the university to cancel all classes on November 3.

Alerts
3
Response
—
Killed
0
Injured
0
Institution
Cornell University
Private R1 · NY
All Cornell cases →
~25,000 studentsCornellALERT
Official alert policy
Read when and how Cornell says it will use CornellALERT: summarized, quoted, and analyzed.
Documented Timeline

Alert Sequence

3 messages in sequence · 3 verified verbatim

INITIAL ALERTEmail
Verified verbatimCornell University Statements archive: President Martha E. Pollack's October 29, 2023 community statement on antisemitic threats1837 chars
Earlier today, a series of horrendous, antisemitic messages threatening violence to the Jewish community and specifically naming 104 West — the home of the Center for Jewish Living — was posted on a website unaffiliated with Cornell. Law enforcement was immediately notified. At this time, Cornell Police (CUPD) are on the scene and investigating. Police will continue to remain on site to ensure students and community members are safe. Cornell Police have also notified the FBI of a potential hate crime. Threats of violence are absolutely intolerable, and we will work to ensure that the person or people who posted them are punished to the full extent of the law. Our immediate focus is on keeping the community safe; we will continue to prioritize that. We will not tolerate antisemitism at Cornell. During my time as president, I have repeatedly denounced bigotry and hatred, both on and off our campus. The virulence and destructiveness of antisemitism is real and deeply impacting our Jewish students, faculty and staff, as well as the entire Cornell community. This incident highlights the need to combat the forces that are dividing us and driving us toward hate. This cannot be what defines us at Cornell. All of our community deserves to feel safe at Cornell. If you become aware of any threats to your safety or to the safety of the community, please contact CUPD at 607-255-1111. We also encourage you to download the RAVE Guardian app, which will enable you to report any safety concerns to CUPD in real time. In the days ahead, we will work to reinforce a culture of trust, respect and safety at Cornell. Regardless of your beliefs, backgrounds or perspectives, I urge all of you to come together with the empathy and support for each other that we so greatly need in this difficult time. Martha E. Pollack President
This is a community-wide email/statement from President Pollack, not a CornellALERT SMS; Cornell distinguishes between mass-notification SMS alerts and presidential statements, and the latter became the primary public communication for this incident
'104 West' is the campus shorthand for the Center for Jewish Living at 104 West Avenue and was named verbatim in the threats
Pollack's statement explicitly characterizes the threats as 'a potential hate crime' and references FBI involvement, establishing the federal framing within hours
The statement directs community members to RAVE Guardian rather than to a CornellALERT SMS update, signaling that this incident was investigated through statements rather than rolling SMS alerts
UPDATEEmail
Verified verbatimCornell University Statements — Suspect identified (Oct 31, 2023)302 chars
We can confirm that a subject has been identified as a suspect in the antisemitic threats made against our Jewish students on Sunday and is currently in custody. We thank the FBI and other law enforcement agencies for their coordination. We will update the public as we have further details to release.
Recovered verbatim from Cornell's official University Statements archive ('Suspect identified in online threats against Jewish students'), with the identical wording independently reproduced by NBC New York and NBC News
Patrick Dai, 21, a junior, was taken into custody on October 31 and appeared in federal court on November 1
The posts had been made under usernames referencing Hamas and used anti-Israel slogans
ALL CLEAREmail
Verified verbatimThe Cornell Daily Sun live coverage, quoting the Kotlikoff/Lovely November 1, 2023 community-day email verbatim309 chars
No classes will be held, and faculty and staff will be excused from work, except for employees who provide essential services. We hope that everyone will use this restorative time to take care of yourselves and reflect on how we can nurture the kind of caring, mutually supportive community that we all value.
The Cornell Daily Sun quoted the announcement email from Provost Michael Kotlikoff and VP/CHRO Christine Lovely verbatim
Cornell described November 3 as a 'community day' in acknowledgment of the stress students had endured
Message elements

How the first alert is built

To check this alert, Claude (an AI) read it in full 25 separate times, independently. Each read decided whether the message answers each of the six questions and gave a short reason. A final reviewer then weighed all 25 and wrote the plain-English verdict you see when you open a row. The score (for example 22/25) is how many reads agreed; the 25 individual reads are tucked underneath if you want to check them.

Earlier today, a series of horrendous, antisemitic messages threatening violence to the Jewish community and specifically naming 104 West — the home of the Center for Jewish Living — was posted on a website unaffiliated with Cornell. Law enforcement was immediately notified. At this time, Cornell Police (CUPD) are on the scene and investigating. Police will continue to remain on site to ensure students and community members are safe. Cornell Police have also notified the FBI of a potential hate crime. Threats of violence are absolutely intolerable, and we will work to ensure that the person or people who posted them are punished to the full extent of the law. Our immediate focus is on keeping the community safe; we will continue to prioritize that. We will not tolerate antisemitism at Cornell. During my time as president, I have repeatedly denounced bigotry and hatred, both on and off our campus. The virulence and destructiveness of antisemitism is real and deeply impacting our Jewish students, faculty and staff, as well as the entire Cornell community. This incident highlights the need to combat the forces that are dividing us and driving us toward hate. This cannot be what defines us at Cornell. All of our community deserves to feel safe at Cornell. If you become aware of any threats to your safety or to the safety of the community, please contact CUPD at 607-255-1111. We also encourage you to download the RAVE Guardian app, which will enable you to report any safety concerns to CUPD in real time. In the days ahead, we will work to reinforce a culture of trust, respect and safety at Cornell. Regardless of your beliefs, backgrounds or perspectives, I urge all of you to come together with the empathy and support for each other that we so greatly need in this difficult time. Martha E. Pollack President

  • Sourcepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    All 25 reads agree the source is present; it names Cornell Police and the FBI as investigating authorities.

    Who is sending the alert and who is responding. People act faster on a message from a clearly identifiable, credible sender, such as a named department, the police, or a branded alert system, than on an anonymous notice. A branded signature counts.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: Names "Cornell Police (CUPD)" and the FBI as investigating authorities.
    2. present: It names "Cornell Police (CUPD)" and the FBI, the issuer and agencies.
    3. present: Names "Cornell Police (CUPD)" and the FBI, plus the president as signer.
    4. present: It names "Cornell Police (CUPD)" and "the FBI", responding authorities.
    5. present: Names "Cornell Police (CUPD)" and "the FBI", identifying the investigating authorities.
    6. present: It names "Cornell Police (CUPD)" and references the FBI, issuing and responding authorities.
    7. present: It names "Cornell Police (CUPD)" and "the FBI", the investigating authorities.
    8. present: Names "Cornell Police (CUPD)" and "the FBI" as the responding authorities.
    9. present: Names "Cornell Police (CUPD)" and "the FBI".
    10. present: It names "Cornell Police (CUPD)" and "the FBI" as responding authorities.
    11. present: It names "Cornell Police (CUPD)" and "the FBI".
    12. present: Names "Cornell Police (CUPD)" and "the FBI".
    13. present: Names "Cornell Police (CUPD)" and is signed by the President, identifying the issuer.
    14. present: It names "Cornell Police (CUPD)" and the "FBI" as responding.
    15. present: It names "Cornell Police (CUPD)" and "the FBI", identifying the senders.
    16. present: Names "Cornell Police (CUPD)" and "the FBI" as the investigating authorities.
    17. present: It names "Cornell Police (CUPD)" and references the FBI.
    18. present: It names "Cornell Police (CUPD)" and "the FBI", the responding authorities.
    19. present: It names "Cornell Police (CUPD)" and the FBI as authorities.
    20. present: It names "Cornell Police (CUPD)" and the "FBI", identifying the authorities and sender.
    21. present: Names "Cornell Police (CUPD)" and is signed by President "Martha E. Pollack".
    22. present: Names "Cornell Police (CUPD)" and "the FBI".
    23. present: It names "Cornell Police (CUPD)" and the "FBI" as authorities.
    24. present: It names "Cornell Police (CUPD)" and "the FBI".
    25. present: It names "Cornell Police (CUPD)" and "the FBI" as authorities.
  • Hazardpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Unanimous that the hazard is present; it names antisemitic messages threatening violence.

    What the threat actually is. A complete warning names the specific danger, such as a shooter, a fire, a tornado, or a gas leak, rather than a vague emergency, because people decide what to do based on what they are facing.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: Names "antisemitic messages threatening violence", a specific threat hazard.
    2. present: It names "antisemitic messages threatening violence", a specific threat.
    3. present: Names "antisemitic messages threatening violence", a specific threat.
    4. present: It names "antisemitic messages threatening violence", a specific threat.
    5. present: States "antisemitic messages threatening violence", a specific threat.
    6. present: It names "antisemitic messages threatening violence", a specific threat.
    7. present: It cites "antisemitic messages threatening violence", a specific threat.
    8. present: States "antisemitic messages threatening violence", a specific threat.
    9. present: States "antisemitic messages threatening violence", a specific threat.
    10. present: It names "antisemitic messages threatening violence", a specific threat.
    11. present: It describes "antisemitic messages threatening violence", a specific threat.
    12. present: Names "antisemitic messages threatening violence", a specific threat.
    13. present: States "antisemitic messages threatening violence", a specific threat.
    14. present: It states "antisemitic messages threatening violence", a specific threat hazard.
    15. present: It names "antisemitic messages threatening violence" to the Jewish community, a specific threat.
    16. present: Names "horrendous, antisemitic messages threatening violence", a specific threat.
    17. present: It names "antisemitic messages threatening violence", a specific threat.
    18. present: It names "antisemitic messages threatening violence", a specific threat.
    19. present: It describes "antisemitic messages threatening violence", a specific threat.
    20. present: It describes "antisemitic messages threatening violence", a specific named threat.
    21. present: States "antisemitic messages threatening violence", a specific threat.
    22. present: Names "antisemitic messages threatening violence to the Jewish community", a specific threat.
    23. present: It names "antisemitic messages threatening violence", a specific threat.
    24. present: It names "antisemitic messages threatening violence", a specific threat.
    25. present: It names "antisemitic messages threatening violence", a specific threat.
  • Locationpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    All reads agree a location is present, citing 104 West, the home of the Center for Jewish Living.

    Where the threat is. Saying whether danger is in a specific building, a part of campus, or area-wide lets people judge their own proximity and choose a safe direction. Without a where, a warning is hard to act on precisely.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: Locates it at "104 West, the home of the Center for Jewish Living".
    2. present: It names "104 West, the home of the Center for Jewish Living", a specific place.
    3. present: Specifies "104 West, the home of the Center for Jewish Living", a named place.
    4. present: It cites "104 West, the home of the Center for Jewish Living", a specific place.
    5. present: Says the messages named "104 West, the home of the Center for Jewish Living", a specific place.
    6. present: It names "104 West, the home of the Center for Jewish Living", a specific place.
    7. present: It names "104 West, the home of the Center for Jewish Living", a specific location.
    8. present: Says it specifically named "104 West, the home of the Center for Jewish Living", a specific place.
    9. present: Locates it at "104 West, the home of the Center for Jewish Living".
    10. present: It names "104 West, the home of the Center for Jewish Living".
    11. present: It names "104 West, the home of the Center for Jewish Living".
    12. present: Specifically names "104 West, the home of the Center for Jewish Living".
    13. present: Says messages named "104 West, the home of the Center for Jewish Living", a specific location.
    14. present: It names "104 West, the home of the Center for Jewish Living" as the targeted place.
    15. present: It names "104 West, the home of the Center for Jewish Living", a specific place.
    16. present: Names "104 West, the home of the Center for Jewish Living" as the target.
    17. present: It names "104 West, the home of the Center for Jewish Living", a specific place.
    18. present: It names "104 West, the home of the Center for Jewish Living", a specific place.
    19. present: It names "104 West, the home of the Center for Jewish Living", a specific place.
    20. present: It names "104 West, the home of the Center for Jewish Living", a specific place.
    21. present: Names "104 West, the home of the Center for Jewish Living", a specific place.
    22. present: Specifies "104 West, the home of the Center for Jewish Living".
    23. present: It names "104 West, the home of the Center for Jewish Living".
    24. present: It names "104 West, the home of the Center for Jewish Living".
    25. present: It names "104 West, the home of the Center for Jewish Living".
  • Guidancepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Unanimous that guidance is present, urging members to contact CUPD and download the RAVE Guardian app to report concerns.

    The protective action to take. A clear, specific instruction, such as shelter in place, evacuate, avoid the area, or run-hide-fight, drives faster and more correct protective behavior than describing the threat alone.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: Asks members to "contact CUPD" and download the RAVE Guardian app to report concerns.
    2. present: It urges recipients to "contact CUPD" and "download the RAVE Guardian app" to report concerns.
    3. present: Tells the community to "contact CUPD" and to "download the RAVE Guardian app".
    4. present: It urges to "contact CUPD" with threats and to "download the RAVE Guardian app", protective actions.
    5. present: Urges members to "contact CUPD" and download the RAVE Guardian app to report concerns.
    6. present: It urges contacting "CUPD at 607-255-1111" and to download the RAVE Guardian app.
    7. present: It instructs to "contact CUPD" and "download the RAVE Guardian app" to report concerns, actions.
    8. present: Tells members "If you become aware of any threats... please contact CUPD", a requested action.
    9. present: Asks members to "contact CUPD" and "download the RAVE Guardian app" to report concerns.
    10. present: It instructs to "contact CUPD" and "download the RAVE Guardian app" to report concerns.
    11. present: It urges recipients to "contact CUPD" and "download the RAVE Guardian app".
    12. present: Asks recipients to "contact CUPD" if aware of threats and to "download the RAVE Guardian app".
    13. present: Asks recipients to "contact CUPD" if aware of threats and to "download the RAVE Guardian app", protective actions.
    14. present: It urges recipients to "contact CUPD" and "download the RAVE Guardian app" to report threats.
    15. present: It asks community members to "contact CUPD" and download the RAVE Guardian app, protective actions.
    16. present: Instructs "please contact CUPD" and to "download the RAVE Guardian app" to report concerns.
    17. present: It instructs to "contact CUPD" if aware of threats and to download the RAVE Guardian app.
    18. present: It urges members to "contact CUPD" if aware of threats and to "download the RAVE Guardian app".
    19. present: It urges members to "contact CUPD" and "download the RAVE Guardian app", directed actions.
    20. present: It urges "please contact CUPD" and to download the RAVE Guardian app, protective actions.
    21. present: Tells recipients to "contact CUPD" and to "download the RAVE Guardian app" to report.
    22. present: Instructs to "contact CUPD" and to "download the RAVE Guardian app" to report concerns.
    23. present: It urges people to "contact CUPD" and to "download the RAVE Guardian app" to report concerns.
    24. present: It instructs "If you become aware of any threats... please contact CUPD" and to download RAVE Guardian.
    25. present: It urges members to "contact CUPD" and "download the RAVE Guardian app".
  • Timepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    All 25 reads agree timing is present, using earlier today and at this time.

    When the message applies. A timestamp, the word now or immediately, or a phrase like until further notice tells the reader whether the danger is current and how quickly to act.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: Says "Earlier today", a recency cue.
    2. present: It says "Earlier today" and "At this time", recency references.
    3. present: Says "Earlier today" and "At this time", date and recency cues.
    4. present: It uses "Earlier today" and "At this time", conveying recency.
    5. present: Uses "Earlier today" and "At this time", recency cues.
    6. present: It says "Earlier today" and "At this time", recency cues.
    7. present: It says "Earlier today" and "At this time", recency cues.
    8. present: Says "Earlier today" and "At this time", recency cues.
    9. present: Uses "Earlier today" and "At this time", recency cues.
    10. present: It says "Earlier today" and "At this time", recency cues.
    11. present: It says "Earlier today" and "At this time", recency cues.
    12. present: Says "Earlier today" and "At this time", conveying recency.
    13. present: Uses "Earlier today" and "At this time", recency cues.
    14. present: It uses recency cues "Earlier today" and "At this time".
    15. present: It uses "Earlier today" and "At this time", date and recency cues.
    16. present: Uses the time cue "Earlier today".
    17. present: It says "Earlier today" and "At this time", recency cues.
    18. present: It uses recency cues "Earlier today" and "At this time".
    19. present: It says "Earlier today", a recency cue.
    20. present: It says "Earlier today" and "At this time", recency cues.
    21. present: Says "Earlier today" and "At this time", recency cues.
    22. present: Uses recency cues "Earlier today" and "At this time".
    23. present: The phrases "Earlier today" and "At this time" convey recency.
    24. present: It says "Earlier today" and "At this time", recency cues.
    25. present: It says "Earlier today" and "At this time", recency cues.
  • Impactpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present unanimously across all 25 reads. The message describes horrendous antisemitic messages threatening violence to the Jewish community and naming a specific building, explicitly conveying a danger to people.

    What the hazard could do to the people in its path. Beyond naming the threat, a complete warning conveys its potential consequences or severity, such as that a tornado can level buildings or that a leak could be explosive, so recipients grasp how much danger they are in. Research on warning message content finds that a concrete impact statement helps people personalize their risk and act sooner.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It describes threats of violence and the virulence and destructiveness of antisemitism deeply impacting the community, conveying clear harm.
    2. present: This describes threats of violence to the Jewish community and explicitly cites the virulence and destructiveness of antisemitism deeply impacting people, stating clear harm.
    3. present: Describes threats of violence to the Jewish community and the virulence and destructiveness of antisemitism deeply impacting people, explicitly stating harm.
    4. present: It describes threats of violence as horrendous and virulent and destructive, deeply impacting people, explicitly stating serious harm and danger.
    5. present: Describes threats of violence, a potential hate crime, and the destructiveness of antisemitism deeply impacting community members, stating clear harm.
    6. present: It describes horrendous antisemitic messages threatening violence and notes the virulence and destructiveness of antisemitism deeply impacting community members which explicitly conveys harm and severity.
    7. present: Describes threats of violence and the virulence and destructiveness of antisemitism deeply impacting community members, explicitly stating harm.
    8. present: Describes threats of violence and the virulence and destructiveness of antisemitism deeply impacting the community, stating real harm.
    9. present: Describes antisemitic messages threatening violence and calls antisemitism virulent and destructive and deeply impacting people, explicitly stating harm and severity.
    10. present: It describes threats of violence and the virulence and destructiveness of antisemitism deeply impacting people, stating clear harm.
    11. present: Describes threats of violence and references the virulence and destructiveness of antisemitism deeply impacting students, explicitly stating harm.
    12. present: It describes threats of violence to the Jewish community and the virulence and destructiveness of antisemitism deeply impacting people, explicitly stating harm.
    13. present: It describes messages threatening violence and discusses the virulence and destructiveness of antisemitism deeply impacting people, stating clear harm.
    14. present: Describes antisemitic messages threatening violence and the real virulence and destructiveness of antisemitism deeply impacting the community, conveying explicit harm.
    15. present: Describes antisemitic messages threatening violence and the real virulence and destructiveness of antisemitism deeply impacting the community, conveying clear harm.
    16. present: Describes threats of violence to the Jewish community and the virulence and destructiveness of antisemitism deeply impacting people, conveying explicit harm.
    17. present: Describes threats of violence to the Jewish community and the real virulence and destructiveness of antisemitism deeply impacting people, conveying harm.
    18. present: Describes threats of violence and the virulence and destructiveness of antisemitism deeply impacting the community, stating harm.
    19. present: Describes threats of violence as horrendous and antisemitism as virulent and destructive and deeply impacting students, stating harm.
    20. present: Describes antisemitic messages threatening violence, a potential hate crime, and the destructiveness deeply impacting community members, stating clear harm and danger.
    21. present: Describes threats of violence against the Jewish community and calls antisemitism virulent and destructive and deeply impacting people, a clearly stated harm.
    22. present: Describes threats of violence and the real virulence and destructiveness of antisemitism impacting the community, conveying harm.
    23. present: Describes threats of violence and the destructiveness of antisemitism deeply impacting the community, conveying clear harm.
    24. present: Describes threats of violence and the virulence and destructiveness of antisemitism deeply impacting community members, stating real harm.
    25. present: It describes threats of violence and the virulence and destructiveness of antisemitism deeply impacting people, stating clear harm.

Systematic AI judgments with visible reasoning, not human-validated codings.

About this analysis
Context

Background

On October 28-29, 2023, a series of violent antisemitic messages were posted to the Cornell section of GreekRank, an online discussion forum unaffiliated with Cornell University, threatening to kill and injure Jewish students on campus. The posts specifically threatened to 'shoot up' the kosher dining hall at 104 West Avenue, the Center for Jewish Living, and included threats to stab, rape, and throw Jewish students off cliffs. The FBI immediately launched an investigation, and enhanced security was deployed to Jewish life facilities on campus. On October 31, Patrick Dai, 21, a Cornell junior from Pittsford, New York, was arrested and federally charged with making threats using interstate commerce. The threats came amid a nationwide spike in antisemitic incidents following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, with the Anti-Defamation League reporting a nearly 400% increase in antisemitic incidents in the days after. Cornell canceled all classes on November 3 as a 'community day' to address the extraordinary stress on campus. Dai pleaded guilty and on August 12, 2024 was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Brenda Sannes to 21 months in federal prison plus three years of supervised release; the court found the offense was a hate crime under the federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Analysis

Key Findings

The threats specifically named Jewish campus facilities, forcing enhanced security at the Center for Jewish Living
The incident occurred during a documented nationwide surge in antisemitic threats following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel
Cornell's decision to cancel classes as a 'community day' reflected the severity of the psychological impact on students
Outcome
Patrick Dai was arrested on October 31, 2023, and charged with making threats using interstate commerce. Cornell canceled classes on November 3 as a 'community day' to address campus stress. Dai pleaded guilty in April 2024 and was sentenced on August 12, 2024 by Chief U.S. District Judge Brenda Sannes to 21 months in federal prison plus three years of supervised release with internet-use restrictions. The court found the offense was a hate crime under the federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Provenance

Sources

  1. News
    Authorities investigating online threats at Cornell (CNN)
    cnn.com
    archived copy
  2. News
    Cornell student arrested in antisemitic threats (NPR)
    npr.org
    archived copy
  3. News
    Cornell cancels classes following antisemitic threats (NPR)
    npr.org
    archived copy
  4. Official
    Antisemitic threats to our community (Cornell University)
    statements.cornell.edu
    archived copy
  5. News
    Former Cornell student sentenced to 21 months (NPR)
    npr.org
    archived copy
  6. Official
    Cornell University Statements — Suspect identified (Oct 31, 2023)
    statements.cornell.edu
    archived copy
Cite this case

Campus Alert Archive. "Cornell University: Online antisemitic threats against Jewish students; student arrested, classes canceled." Incident of October 29, 2023. Added April 2026; last updated July 2026. https://campusalertarchive.com/case/cornell-university-antisemitic-threats-2023-10-29/

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Alert text quoted on this page remains the work of the issuing institution; the archive is a secondary source.

Tags
antisemitismthreat-of-violencehate-crimeclasses-cancelledfbi-investigationivy-leaguenew-yorkprivate-universityonline-threats
Added April 2026Updated July 2026Via ingestion