Report: University of Virginia gets an ‘F’ for anti-Semitism on campus – Virginia

(The Center Square) – The Anti-Defamation League gives the University of Virginia an “F” on its Campus Antisemitism Report Card as pro-Palestinian protesters mark another day of demonstrations on campus.

As anti-Zionist demonstrations continue to pop up on college campuses across the country, the ADL has been active in tracking the anti-Semitic incidents leading up to the latest campus uprisings, with the goal of providing students and their families with information about the “current state of the society’. anti-Semitism on campus” and how these institutions respond.

The ADL said they are currently “assessing the situation at each campus and updating profiles as necessary… Because this is a fluid, evolving situation, we are making assessments as necessary,” an ADL spokesperson told The Center Square.

The University of Virginia has so far managed to contain the protests by staving off camps – drawing a line in the sand by respecting students’ right to free speech while making clear that the university is steadfast in protecting property and maintaining “a safe atmosphere, free from disruption.”

Regardless of the university’s firm position, the school scores inadequately when it comes to the way it deals with anti-Semitism on campus and the response to it.

It appears that many of the disturbing anti-Semitic incidents have been committed by students.

“Incidents (of anti-Semitic rhetoric from faculty and staff) were classified as serious and were much less common than incidents where the perpetrators were students,” the spokesperson added.

The ADL reports high incidents of “serious anti-Semitic and anti-Zionist incidents” on campus, “high levels of hostile anti-Zionist student government activity,” and the presence of “hostile anti-Zionist student groups.”

The report details alleged incidents of anti-Semitic activity on campus, including “a Jewish student said he has received death threats since October 7, been physically attacked during a counter-protest to an anti-Israel strike and has been called anti-Semitic slurs.”

Additionally, the report states that the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights “opened a Title VI investigation against UVA in December 2023.”

The report also detailed that “UVA students recently passed a referendum calling for divestment from companies doing business with Israel.”

The ADL also stated that an art history professor canceled her class in solidarity with the “divestment movement” before the referendum was passed.

In response to the incidents, UVA formed a task force on religious diversity and belonging in December to review reports of anti-Semitic incidents and “recommend educational offerings.”

The ADL said UVA President Jim Ryan has been outspoken in his opposition to the divestment resolution, warning that the university “must not use its investment strategy to take sides on a ‘complex and deeply contentious’ issue.”

The report also noted that the university took swift action to update its “time, place and manner restrictions policy” regarding campus protests in response to the 2017 “Unite the Right” rally.

The ADL also reports that the university has “partially” met the criteria, including anti-Semitism in its Code of Conduct and Policy. Despite UVA spending about $20 million annually on salaries for its diversity, equity and inclusion program staff, the ADL reports that the school has only partially met criteria for mandatory anti-Semitic education for students and staff. In addition, the groups say the school partially meets the criteria to publicly condemn anti-Semitic incidents.

In contrast, the university has met many of the criteria for reporting anti-Semitic incidents, providing an advisory board to address anti-Semitism, having a clear policy on religious accommodation, and taking an official position against boycotts and divestments against the State of Israel.

The report also reflects several active Jewish organizations, programs, kosher dining options, “pro-Israel-related programming and activities” and promotes awareness of Jewish holidays.