Latest News from Campus

Haverford College reached a settlement with a Jewish group regarding claims of discrimination in the aftermath of October 7th. Under the agreement, the college will implement mandatory antisemitism awareness training, establish an oversight committee, and grant the school’s civil rights director jurisdiction over antisemitism-related bias complaints. The college also reaffirmed its policy prohibiting discrimination against students based on their Jewish, Zionist, or Israeli identity.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights opened investigations into San Francisco State University and San Jose State University over allegations that the universities failed to address antisemitic harassment on their campuses. Both universities maintain their commitment to campus safety and deny the allegations.

A new report commissioned by the Canadian government found that 95% of Jewish university students surveyed in Canada experienced or witnessed antisemitism on campus over the past year. The report also found that many students changed how openly they expressed their Jewish identity because of their campus experiences.

A new Canadian Heritage report surveyed about 900 Jewish university students across Canada and found that 95.7% had experienced or witnessed antisemitism. The report found that 70% said their universities did not take antisemitism seriously, while one in four students reported experiencing or witnessing physical violence against Jews. Students also reported Holocaust denial or distortion, discriminatory treatment, intimidation, and antisemitic or biased classroom content. In a post on Instagram, Hillel Ontario responded saying “…antisemitism on Canadian campuses is not episodic or peripheral—it is persistent and proliferating, and on some campuses has become a normalized and systemic feature of campus life.”

A California jury found David William Denton guilty of arson and vandalism for setting a mezuzah at the entrance of the Berkeley Hillel on fire earlier this year. A judge subsequently recategorized the conviction as a hate crime. “Targeting and burning a sacred religious symbol is an act that can cause harm far beyond the physical damage itself… People of every faith should be able to practice their religion and gather in their communities without fear of intimidation,” said Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson.

Sadie Meyer, a 2026 graduate of Syracuse University, University Scholar for her graduating class, and the student speaker at Syracuse University’s 2026 commencement ceremony, shared five tips for incoming first-year students. Drawing from her college experience, Meyer encouraged students to step outside their comfort zones, build meaningful relationships, and connect with their campus Jewish community.