Cornell Grad Student Union Passes BDS Referendum
Canadian Hillels Boost Mental Health Services for Jewish College Students
Northwestern Will Pay $75 Million to Federal Government to End Antisemitism Investigation
Northwestern University agreed to pay the federal government $75 million over three years to restore nearly $790 million in frozen federal research funds and end a government antisemitism investigation. The university also agreed to strengthen protections for Jewish students, review international admissions, and provide training on campus norms.
UCL Reopens Investigation Into Student Who Allegedly Justified October 7th Attacks
Columbia University Rejects Three Anti-Israel Divestment Proposals
Israeli Basketball Star Yarden Garzon Finds a Home at Maryland Hillel
Brown University Celebrates 130 Years of Jewish Life on Campus
Brown University convened over a thousand alumni, students, faculty, and staff for a weekend event to honor the institution’s long history of Jewish student life. The gathering featured social events, panel discussions, an exhibit tracing significant Jewish milestones on campus, and reflections on how the Jewish community at Brown has evolved. The event was organized by Brown alum Abby Doft, a member of the Hillel International Board of Directors.
University of Maryland Student Government Passes Symbolic Resolution Calling to Ban IDF Soldiers from Campus
The University of Maryland’s student government cast a symbolic vote to bar former Israel Defense Forces soldiers from speaking on campus, claiming their presence undermines the university’s values of safety and inclusion. Ari Israel, executive director of Maryland Hillel, responded that, “We proudly support bringing IDF soldiers to campus and connecting students with Israel, our ancestral Jewish homeland,” adding that the resolution “fosters hate and division rather than the open exchange of ideas that should define our university.” A university of Maryland official said that the symbolic vote will have “no bearing on university policy or practice.”
University of Wyoming Investigates Second Recent Antisemitic Incident
The University of Wyoming is investigating incidents on campus where pumpkins and a “free speech ball” carved with antisemitic and violent messages, including phrases like “Kill Jews” and Nazi symbols, were placed on campus. University officials removed the display and are reviewing the incidents as potential discrimination or harassment.
Cornell Agrees to Pay $60 Million Settlement to Unfreeze Federal Funds
Cornell University agreed to a $60 million settlement with the White House in order to restore access to more than $250 million in frozen federal funding. As part of the agreement, Cornell will pay $20 million per year for the next three years, and conduct a campus climate survey to ensure Jewish students’ safety, among other remedies.
Body of Slain Hostage Returned, Identified as Tanzanian National Joshua Loitu Mollel
The IDF confirmed that the body of 21-year-old Tanzanian agricultural intern Joshua Loitu Mollel, who was kidnapped by Hamas during the October 7th attacks at Kibbutz Nahal Oz, was returned to Israel this week. Mollel had arrived in Israel just weeks before the attack to participate in an agricultural training program. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said that although he was not an Israeli citizen, “we feel like one of our own is back.”
University of Maryland Student Government Votes to Ban IDF Soldiers from Speaking on Campus
The University of Maryland student government voted 25-0 to pass two non-binding resolutions, including one that seeks to prohibit members of the Israel Defense Forces from speaking on campus. The resolution came after an event on campus that featured former IDF soldiers. Student government resolutions do not impact campus policy unless approved by the university.