Campus antisemitism flunks out
Harvard, MIT, Tufts, UMass Amherst all given an F
Four local universities are failing when it comes to fighting antisemitism on campus, according to a new report from the Anti-Defamation League.
Harvard, MIT, Tufts and UMass Amherst have all received an “F” in ADL’s new “Campus Antisemitism Report Card” released yesterday.
These grades come amid an extremely divisive time on college campuses following the Hamas terror attacks and the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
“We at ADL have been working with university leadership for years to help them better understand the nature of this problem,” said Ron Fish, ADL New England’s interim regional director.
“Some of the schools seem to have learned since October 7 that turning a blind eye to harassing speech that marginalizes Jewish students is not a wise policy,” Fish added. “We hope to see much improved grades in the future, as schools begin to implement sound policies that protect all students.”
Harvard has been at the epicenter of campus clashes since Oct. 7, leading to the university’s president resigning, lawsuits and investigations.
After the Hamas terror attacks, a group of Harvard student groups blamed Israel for the deadly assault. These groups have organized protests on campus, causing disruptions to classes and other campus activities.
“Antisemitism has no place in the Harvard community,” a Harvard spokesperson said yesterday. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to combating antisemitism and hate, in whatever form it manifests itself.”
Student groups at Tufts after the Hamas terror attacks celebrated the violence against Israel. During part of the debate over Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions resolutions, Jewish students were reportedly spat on and “subjected to stomach-churning antisemitic taunts and jeering from their peers,” according to the Hillel director.
“We are proud of our reputation as a welcoming campus for Jewish students and take seriously the responsibility of maintaining this climate,” a Tufts spokesperson said. “Although we disagree with the ADL’s assessment, we will examine the underlying data and methodologies used by the ADL to address any important areas where we can improve.
“We are already taking steps, including incorporating antisemitism sessions into our first-year student orientation program next fall, to continue to address these areas,” the spokesperson added. “Our commitment to ending antisemitism and creating an inclusive environment for our Jewish community at Tufts is unwavering.”
A Jewish student at UMass Amherst was reportedly attacked following an event last fall when students called for the return of the Israeli hostages. The Jewish student was holding an Israeli flag, which the student attacker reportedly spat on and shredded with a knife. The student attacker was arrested and barred from returning to campus.
“UMass Amherst stands firmly by its unwavering record of combating all forms of hatred, including antisemitism,” the university said. “The university has a deep and public commitment to protecting the rights of our community to live, teach, learn, and work in an environment of dignity and respect.
“Further, as a public institution bound by the First Amendment, the university is obligated by law and its core values to protect the right to the free and open exchange of ideas,” UMass Amherst added. “This right extends to the peaceful expression and exchange of ideas — even those ideas with which members of our community may vehemently disagree.”
The ADL Report Card reviewed 85 schools and assigned grades from A through F. Two schools received an “A,” 17 schools received a “B,” 29 schools received a “C,” 24 schools received a “D,” and 13 schools received an “F” grade.
Brandeis University was one of the two schools that received an A. Brandeis was the first private university to revoke official recognition of its Students for Justice in Palestine chapter. The Waltham campus leaders also declared that phrases such as “From the River to the Sea” are antisemitic hate speech and are contrary to the university’s principles.
Other Massachusetts schools on the ADL Report Card are: Wellesley College (D grade); Boston University (C); Northeastern University (C); Williams College (C); and Amherst College (B).
“Every campus should get an A — that’s not grade inflation, that’s the minimum that every group on every campus expects,” said ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt. “Like all students, Jewish students deserve to feel safe and supported on campus. They deserve a learning environment free from antisemitism and hate.
“But that hasn’t been the experience with antisemitism running rampant on campus since even before October 7,” Greenblatt added. “At a time when antisemitic incidents on campus are at historic levels, administrators need to adopt new policies to address this scourge and have the willingness to enforce existing codes of conduct to ensure all students are safe.”