The Anti-Defamation League has evaluated 85 American universities for their policies to protect Jewish students from antisemitism on campus, with Harvard and 12 other schools receiving failing grades while just two schools received an “A” grade. Reports of antisemitism on college campuses have increased following a terror attack by Hamas on Israel and the country’s response, leading to historic levels of antisemitic incidents that have left Jewish students feeling unsafe.
ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt emphasized the importance of school leadership making significant changes to support Jewish communities on campus, as families are concerned about sending their children to college. The organization reviewed top liberal arts colleges and those with a high percentage of Jewish students, considering responses to questionnaires as well as other public information, including pending Title VI investigations related to discrimination based on religion, race, and sex.
Since the attack on Israel, the Education Department has initiated numerous Title VI investigations into colleges, including Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University, and Stanford. A dozen schools, including Harvard, MIT, and Stanford, received failing grades from the ADL for their insufficient policies to combat antisemitism, with Harvard in particular facing national scrutiny for incidents of antisemitism on its campus.
Following a controversial statement by Harvard student groups blaming Israel for the attack, incidents of antisemitism escalated on campus with vandalized Israeli hostage posters and an antisemitic cartoon being shared on social media. Former President Claudine Gay, along with two other university presidents, faced backlash for their handling of calls for Jewish genocide on campus, resulting in resignations and a turbulent period for Harvard’s administration.
Harvard remains under federal investigation for potential Title VI violations, with lawsuits filed by Jewish students for failing to protect them from antisemitism. Interim President Alan Garber has announced a presidential task force on antisemitism, although faced criticism for the selection of co-chairs. Despite Harvard’s efforts to combat antisemitism, the university has been criticized for its response to antisemitic incidents on campus.
Despite the challenges faced by many universities, only Brandeis and Elon received “A” grades from the ADL for their proactive measures to combat antisemitism. Brandeis, which boasts a large Jewish student population, was commended for revoking recognition of a Students for Justice in Palestine chapter and partnering with organizations to combat antisemitism. Elon University was also praised for providing opportunities for dialogue and education surrounding antisemitism on campus.
