New York, USA – The Anti-Defamation League has recently released a report grading 85 American universities on their efforts to combat antisemitism on campus. Unfortunately, Harvard and 12 other universities received failing grades, while only two schools received an “A” rating.
Reports of antisemitism on college campuses have increased following a terror attack by Hamas on Israel in October 2023. The ADL expressed concern over the historic levels of antisemitic incidents on campus, which have left Jewish students feeling unsafe.
ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt emphasized the need for school leadership to make significant changes to support Jewish communities on campus. The organization conducted a review of top liberal arts colleges and those with a high percentage of Jewish students, receiving responses from 84% of the campuses assessed.
Since October 7, the U.S. Education Department has initiated numerous Title VI investigations into colleges, including Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University, and Stanford. These investigations are in response to the surge in antisemitic incidents on campus in recent months.
Harvard, in particular, has faced national attention for incidents of antisemitism, prompting resignations and responses from university administration. The university is currently under federal investigation for potential Title VI violations, with Jewish students taking legal action for the university’s failure to protect them from antisemitism.
MIT and Stanford, along with several other universities, also received failing grades from the ADL for their handling of antisemitic incidents on campus. On the other hand, Brandeis and Elon University were praised for their proactive measures to address antisemitism and promote dialogue on campus.
The ADL underscored the importance of all campuses creating a safe and supportive environment for Jewish students. Greenblatt emphasized that every university should strive to achieve an “A” grade to ensure the safety and well-being of Jewish students on campus.