(Courtesy of StopAntisemitism) Watchdog group StopAntisemitism released its “Antisemitism on U.S. College & University Campuses 2022” report recently, using a report-card format to grade 25 different schools across the United States based on their previous and current efforts in combatting antisemitism and protecting their Jewish students on campus.
With antisemitism on the rise nationwide, StopAntisemitism created this report in response to an influx of requests from concerned parents of Jewish students who feel anxious about sending their children away to college and needed a credible resource.
For StopAntisemitism’s inaugural report on antisemitism at U.S. colleges and universities, 25 schools were selected and classified into five categories: Ivy League, Liberal Arts, State Schools, and the Public and Private schools with the highest population of Jewish students. Seven schools received an F, while only three schools received an A.
“We are seeing pervasive antisemitism infecting higher education in America at an alarming rate,” stated StopAntisemitism Executive Director Liora Rez. “Colleges should be a place where students come to grow, learn, and push forward in life; instead campuses are becoming breeding grounds for Jew-hatred. Through the “Antisemitism on U.S. College & University Campuses 2022” report card system, parents of Jewish students have a chance to see which colleges are not doing enough to protect the welfare of Jewish students. The results are grim and reflect a trend that desperately needs to change.”
When analyzing and grading each school, StopAntisemitism adhered to various baseline measures under four categories:
Protection: How does the school report antisemitic incidents? Is there a willingness to work with Jewish advocacy groups? What are the reactions from college administrators after an incident occurs?
Allyship: Does the college speak out against antisemitism? Are Jews included in the school’s diversity, equity and inclusion policies?
Identity: Do Jewish students feel safe at their school? Do Jewish students feel the need to hide their identity on campus? Do Jewish students feel like they are being held responsible for Israel’s actions?
Policy: Has the school adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism? Is there a Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) organization on campus? Have BDS resolutions been adopted?
In addition to extensive background research for this report, StopAntisemitism assessed how each school has responded to antisemitic incidents by conducting two different surveys—one to each university, of which only three participated, and one to their Jewish students. Hundreds of students responded to the survey, with 55% of respondents answering “yes” when asked if they’ve experienced some form of antisemitism at their school, and only 28% of students surveyed report their school administration takes antisemitism and the protection of Jewish students seriously.
You can view the full report at https://bit.ly/3Ca7tWN
Report Card Grades for 25 U.S. Colleges at a Glance:
Ivy League Schools
- University of Pennsylvania – A-
- Princeton University – B-
- Harvard University – D
- Yale University – F
- Columbia University – F
Liberal Arts Schools
- Brandeis University – A
- Oberlin College – B
- Amherst College – C
- Williams College – D-
- Swarthmore College – F
State Schools
- University of North Carolina,
Chapel Hill – B
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor – C
- University of Virginia – C
- University of California, Los Angeles – D
- University of California, Berkeley – F
Public Schools With the Largest Populations of Jewish Students
- University of Maryland – C+
- University of Florida – C
- Rutgers University – C-
- University of Wisconsin, Madison – D
- City University of New York, Brooklyn – F
Private Schools With the Largest Populations of Jewish Students
- Tulane University – A
- Boston University – B+
- George Washington University – D
- New York University – F
- University of Southern California – F
