Staff Reports
President Biden’s administration is taking steps to show support for the Jewish community by issuing new guidance to schools and colleges on how to address antisemitism on campus. The Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights recently published this guidance, aiming to protect Jewish students from discrimination under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The guidance serves as a reminder that federally funded programs and activities should not exclude or discriminate against individuals based on their race, color, or national origin. The White House emphasized that the new measures are intended to ensure the safety and well-being of Jewish students, as well as all students on campus.
One example cited in the guidance details instances of harassment towards Jewish students, including the posting of flyers advocating for the genocide of Jewish people and preventing Jewish students from attending class. It highlights the importance of addressing harassing conduct based on shared ancestry, which creates a hostile environment and denies access to school programs and activities.
Furthermore, President Biden’s address during the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Days of Remembrance is expected to condemn the Holocaust, Hamas’s terrorist attack, and the rise of antisemitism on campuses and across the nation. Additionally, the White House announced that the Department of Homeland Security will work with interagency partners to create an online campus safety resources guide and develop best practices for addressing community-based violence and terrorism.
Notably, the House recently passed a bipartisan proposal to broaden the definition of antisemitism under Title VI to include targeting the state of Israel as a Jewish collectivity. While some have raised concerns about potential limitations on free speech, the bill has been forwarded to the Senate for further consideration.
In light of recent events, including protests and arrests at Columbia University, it is evident that the issue of antisemitism on college campuses requires immediate attention and action. The cancellation of the university-wide commencement ceremony and in-person classes due to demonstrations underscores the importance of addressing these challenges to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all students.
