Questions for Jewish Students to Ask When Considering a College or University

There’s been a disturbing increase in antisemitic incidents on college campuses across the country in the wake of the October 7, 2023 massacre in Israel. During the 2023/24 academic year, ADL tracked over 1,400 antisemitic incidents on campus. In addition, according to a fall 2023 ADL, Hillel International and College Pulse survey, a plurality of students reported feeling physically unsafe on campus, with even less feeling emotionally safe.

To address the rise of antisemitism on campus, ADL has developed the Not On My Campus campaign which includes the Campus Antisemitism Report Card, and is calling for no tolerance for antisemitism. As students and their families are making decisions about college, ADL is rolling out some tools to help. 

There is more than one right school for everyone, and what that right place is depends on many factors. ADL aims to empower students and others to ask questions about a university’s commitment to no tolerance for antisemitism and what it has done to further that commitment. We offer a set of suggested questions below. In addition, we recommend that students and their families talk to professionals and students at Chabad, Hillel, Olami and Greek life organizations to learn about their experiences on campus.

1. How has school leadership responded to antisemitic incidents on campus? The U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism calls upon colleges to “issue clear and unwavering statements condemning all forms of hate, including antisemitism, especially in the wake of antisemitic incidents” and to “treat antisemitism with the same seriousness as other forms of hate.” Has the university you are looking at issued strong public statements? Look on the website for statements after October 7th and in the wake of protests or incidents on campus.
2. Has the school defined antisemitism? If so, what definition is being used and how is it being used? ADL considers the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism to be the preeminent and most widely accepted definitional tool used around the world when it comes to understanding manifestations of antisemitism today.
3. Does the school have clear student codes of conduct, faculty disciplinary rules, and non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies that define prohibited conduct and the consequences for violations? Can you easily find these policies on the school’s website? Are students you talk to aware of them? At a time when we are seeing harassment, intimidation, threats of violence, and physical assaults on college campuses, as well as disruptive protests that are violating university policies and interfering with students’ exams, coursework and access to campus facilities, there must be consequences.
4. Is the school making students aware of their legal rights and how to seek recourse, including where and how to report antisemitic incidents? Can you find this information on the website? Do students you talk to know what to do or where to turn if they want to file a complaint about an antisemitic incident on campus? What resources are available to students if they experience or witness antisemitism on campus or online? Are there members of the administration with expertise in addressing antisemitism?
5. Is the school committed to transparency about the outcomes of complaints filed under the policies referenced above? Does the school’s website offer any information about the steps the college or university is taking in response to policy violations? Does the school’s website offer anonymized, aggregate data on the number and nature of incidents on campus?
6. Has the school conducted regular campus climate studies specifically assessing the experiences of Jewish students on campus? If so, is the data accessible to the public via the campus webpage? If it is, what does the data show regarding the campus climate, particularly with respect to Jewish student feelings of safety and satisfaction on campus?
7. Does the school have a taskforce or advisory group to address campus antisemitism? If not, have they announced plans to create such a taskforce or advisory group? If so, is its mission/charge and membership publicly available? What has the taskforce or advisory group accomplished so far?
8. How does/has campus security handled protests and demonstrations? Are permitting processes clear and applied across the board? Have any other time, place and manner restrictions been imposed and if so, have they been enforced across the board? Have any special security plans or measures been put in place since October 7th? Are security and time, place and manner policies regularly re-assessed and amended as needed?
9. Is antisemitism awareness incorporated into any existing Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) trainings and/or other programming? For students? For faculty and staff? Is it part of new student orientation?  Is it mandatory? Is there any additional, regular programming that focuses on antisemitism and/or the Jewish identity?
10. Are policies about exemptions/extensions/accommodations for religious observance clear and applied across the board? Are these policies easily accessible and understood by students, faculty and staff? Where can I find these policies?
11. Has the school taken a stance regarding the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement? If so, what has the school said? Have BDS resolutions been passed by the student legislative body?
12. Are there active anti-Zionist student groups on campus, such as Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP)? If so, are these organizations official student group organizations on campus?  Have they violated university policies? If so, have there been consequences?
13. Is the school under active investigation or litigation related to campus-based antisemitic incidents, or the administration’s handling of antisemitism on campus? Pending Title VI cases are listed on this Office for Civil Rights (OCR) database. Cases that have resulted in a resolution are listed on this OCR database.
14. Does the school provide any scholarships or financial aid opportunities for Jewish students? If so, what are the application processes and requirements?

1. What percentage of students on campus are Jewish? What is the Jewish undergraduate student enrollment? What is the Jewish grad student enrollment?
2. What Jewish groups are present on campus? Do they have their own facilities? How many members do they have? Are there leadership opportunities within these groups? Are there any Jewish groups leading efforts to combat antisemitism on campus? Are there opportunities to engage with local off-campus Jewish communities and organizations?
3. Will you be able to find religious services to match your religious observance? Are classes or exams scheduled on major Jewish holidays?
4. Are Kosher food options provided? Where and how often?
5. Is there an Israel Fellow/Jewish Agency Envoy on campus? How do they feel about the campus climate?
6. Does the school offer Jewish Studies as a major, minor or through standalone classes and modules? Are current students happy with the programming? Have there been recent attempts to limit or end Jewish Studies programming?
7. Does the school offer pro-Israel-related programming or events? Are current students happy with the programming? Is such programming able to take place on campus without disruptions by protestors? Have there been recent attempts to limit or end pro-Israel-related programming?
8. Does the school offer interfaith programming or activities? Are current students happy with the programming? Is the programming regular?
9. Does the school promote or offer opportunities to engage in civil discourse across differences and focused on difficult topics? Are current students happy with the programming? Is the programming regular?
10. Is there a Rabbi/Jewish Educator on campus? What is this individual’s relationship like with students?
11. Are there study abroad opportunities in Israel? Is the school supportive of these opportunities?
12. Have Jewish communal institutions like Hillel and Chabad received additional security funding from the university? Have there been antisemitic incidents targeting these centers on campus?
13. Are there Jewish Greek organizations active on campus? Do students generally feel safe and supported?
14. Does the school have a Jewish alumni network or group? Are there ample opportunities to hear from and engage with Jewish alumni prior to enrollment, during the academic year and following graduation? Does the school work to connect prospective or incoming Jewish students with Jewish alumni?
15. Are anti-Zionist groups like Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) active on campus? Are these groups sanctioned by the school? What kind of activity and rhetoric have they been engaged in on campus? Have there been allegations or complaints about violations of student codes of conduct? If so, what have the outcomes been?

1. What types of Jewish cultural, religious or social events and activities are organized on campus? Are they regular? Are they inclusive of different denominations?
2. Do you feel accommodated on campus, particularly with respect to accessing Kosher food and religious services and having adjusted academic scheduling during religious holidays?
3. Do you feel supported in your efforts to balance your religious and academic obligations?
4. Do you feel safe on campus?
5. Have you had to change your behavior on campus at all? Do you still go to Hillel or Chabad? Will you wear a Kippah or Star of David necklace? Will you willingly tell others you are Jewish?
6. Have you changed your conduct in class at all? Are there classes in which or professors around whom you have self-censored how you talk about Israel or Judaism?
7. Have you experienced or witnessed antisemitism on campus? Did you feel comfortable reporting it to the university? If you did, what was their response? 
8. Would you choose this campus again?
9. Have you felt supported by your school’s administration?
10. Have there been a lot of anti-Israel protests on campus? Have protesters followed school policies?