Sign on Letter to University President & Trustees

Dear President [X]:

We, the undersigned alumni and supporters of [X] University, are writing to express our deep concern regarding antisemitism that has continued to snowball on campus, warranting immediate intervention and corrective action by your office. 

In the wake of Hamas’s mass atrocities, we have been horrified to read reports of blatantly antisemitic incidents at [X] University, including: [add conduct here; what follows are examples -- swastika vandalism, reminiscent of Nazi Germany, discovered on school property; students being spat on for speaking Hebrew; reports of students carrying signs that read “resistance is not terrorism” during campus walk-outs; a student group on campus making clear that “Zionists” would not be welcome at its upcoming event; hostage posters being constantly torn down across campus; and reports of instructors offering extra credit for participation in anti-Israel protests.]  This list mirrors what we expect to see in a year in a big city; this is a little over two months on one single campus.

Each of these high-profile incidents is absolutely horrifying on its own. And yet we know that these reports are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the antisemitism that has been allowed to escalate on campus – fueled not only by student groups but also by University faculty.  Following the October 7 massacre, [add examples here – e.g., [X] student group led protests on campus that have glorified Hamas terrorism against Jews and called for the destruction of the Jewish state.  Over [X] faculty members signed on to a letter supporting Hamas’s attack.]

The blatant antisemitism described above has unquestionably contributed to a toxic environment on campus and is a stain on [X] University and its storied reputation, leaving Jewish and Israeli students fearful for their physical safety and well-being. The steps your office has taken thus far are clearly insufficient to address the increasingly hostile environment that is taking hold for Jewish and Israeli students.  

We accordingly urge you to immediately adopt the following:

1. Revoke official university recognition of student groups on campus that are glorifying terrorism and that have repeatedly violated university policies.  
2. Take immediate disciplinary action against students who are repeatedly violating student codes of conduct, up to and including suspension and expulsion. 
3. Make sure that [X]’s non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies fully protect Jewish students, both online and off, including from anti-Zionist harassment, discrimination or violence based on their shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics. 
4. Publicly and immediately disclose the progress and recommendations of [X] university’s new Task Force on Antisemitism. Seek input directly from Jewish stakeholders on campus, including Hillel and Chabad on Campus.
5. Define antisemitism on campus using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (“IHRA”) Working Definition of Antisemitism and rely on it when investigating reports of antisemitic harassment and discrimination. 
6. Conduct trainings regarding antisemitism on campus. Antisemitism awareness education must be incorporated as a component of a semester-long first year seminar and should also be included as a component of all trainings regarding discrimination and harassment.
7. Issue clear guidance and enforce disciplinary rules regarding faculty conduct, including conduct by teaching assistants.  While instructors enjoy considerable leeway in the classroom from an academic freedom perspective, universities can impose limits. 
8. Improve public safety on campus. Increase public safety at key campus hotspots where Jewish students have felt most vulnerable and ensure that public safety responds quickly when student demonstrations take place. 
9. Issue clear guidance regarding postering and flying on campus, and enforce these policies equitably for all students and student groups.

As alumni of [X] University, parents of current students, and other supporters, we value its reputation and remain steadfast in our commitment to uphold its values. We ask that you take the above steps to ensure the same.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. We eagerly await your reply.

Sincerely,