Latest News from Campus

The White House proposed a deal known as the “Compact” to 10 top U.S. universities, offering preferential federal funding in exchange for policy changes — such as capping international student enrollment and banning consideration of race or gender in admissions. The plan has been rejected by eight of the 10 institutions offered this deal, including Brown University, MIT, and Dartmouth, all of whom cited concerns about academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and merit-based research funding.

Masked protesters disrupted an October 7th memorial event at Pomona College, entering a closed lecture hall room through an emergency exit and shouting “Zionists not welcome.”. Pomona College President Gabrielle Starr and Vice President Avis Hinkson said the college is investigating the incident. Claremont Hillel added that it is working with the Pomona administration to prevent such incidents and ensure that Hillel events remain “a safe and welcoming space for Jewish life on campus.”

Hillels around the world celebrated Sukkot, which overlapped with the two-year anniversary of October 7th, by turning the festival into an opportunity for celebration and reflections. Many campuses offered dual programming, ensuring students had festive Sukkot events like “Sushi in the Sukkah” as well as October 7th remembrance programs. This allowed students to enjoy the holiday while also giving them a space to reflect and grieve.

The Northwestern Jewish community gathered in front of the school’s Hillel building to celebrate the release of the remaining 20 Israeli hostages by Hamas. Northwestern Hillel Student President Claire Connor said, “We as a people are incomplete as long as there are Jews in captivity, so today, today is an amazing day.”

The University of Louisville has temporarily suspended its Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter for violating university policies during recent protests. The suspension follows a series of demonstrations, including a “Week of Rage” from October 8–11, as well as an attempt to erect a tent encampment in violation of the school’s time, place, and manner protest guidelines. The university cited multiple disruptions and non-compliance with university rules as reasons for the suspension.

A memorial in honor of the Israeli hostages in Gaza on the two-year anniversary of October 7th was vandalized multiple times at Lewis & Clark College in Oregon. The display was ripped from the ground and defaced by unidentified individuals. Jewish students were also verbally harassed and threatened during the memorial. The Dean of Students released a statement condemning the incidents.