An anti-hate watchdog recently gave failing grades to prestigious American universities for their handling of antisemitism on campus. Students at these elite institutions, such as University of Pennsylvania undergraduate student Eyal Yakoby, say the findings are not surprising. The ADL’s Campus Antisemitism Report Card examined 85 schools and assigned grades based on various criteria. Cases of antisemitism have spiked on campuses nationwide following the outbreak of war in Israel, resulting in college leaders facing backlash for their handling of the issue.
Both University of Pennsylvania and Harvard saw their presidents resign after appearing before Congress in December and being grilled about their handling of antisemitism. The grades ranged from A through F, with Harvard, MIT, and Stanford receiving failing grades. Some colleges, like Penn and UC Berkeley, received D grades. Jewish high school students in New York City were even warned against applying to Cornell University due to the school’s reported failure to protect Jewish students. MIT graduate student Talia Khan, who has provided congressional testimony on the rise in antisemitism on campuses, expressed her disappointment with MIT receiving an F grade.
MIT has been accused of failing to stop antisemitic acts from a student group called the Coalition Against Apartheid, including vandalism and declaring support for Hamas. The college suspended the group after ongoing violations. Colleges have seen protests against Israel, with Pomona College students storming an administrative building and anti-Israel protesters requiring police assistance at town halls. The ADL report found that only Brandeis University and Elon University received A grades. While 17 schools received B grades and 29 schools received C marks. Emma Law-Oppman of Mothers Against College Antisemitism called on campuses to prioritize creating a safe environment for all students.
Some universities, like Tufts University, pushed back on the ADL report’s findings. Tufts received an F grade but disagreed with the assessment and pointed to its vibrant Jewish student life and efforts to combat antisemitism on campus. Protests against Israel have also taken place outside of academia, with agitators shutting down bridges and financial districts in major cities. Anti-Israel protests have coincided with Iran launching attacks on Israel, leading to minor damage. The culture of antisemitism on U.S. campuses may be emboldening Iran, according to Khan, who believes terrorists are pleased to see support for their groups from American students.
The findings from the ADL report have sparked conversations about the prevalence of antisemitism on college campuses and the need for change. Students and activists are calling for schools to prioritize combating hate and creating a welcoming environment for all students. While some universities have disputed the report’s grades, others have acknowledged the need for improvement. The ongoing protests against Israel and the increase in antisemitic acts highlight the urgent need to address these issues to ensure the safety and well-being of students on campus.
