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* Background is here if you need it. From UIUC…
Joint Statement of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Jewish United Fund Chicago,
Illini Hillel, Hillel International, Illini Chabad, Arnold & Porter, and
the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under LawStudents who choose the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for their college education make that decision with an expectation that they will find the freedom and security to grow, to explore and to express their whole and best selves.
But, sadly, that is not the experience of all members of the student community. Anti-Semitic acts and expressions are all too common in our country and in our world, and examples of that intolerance have occurred at this university as well. This is unacceptable. While the university has taken measures in the past to address this problem, the university must do more.
Over the past several months, and especially over the past few days, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, leaders in the Jewish community and counsel for the Jewish students have engaged in meaningful and productive conversations. While we may not agree on all aspects of these complex and critical issues, we are united in a single view that our shared and common goal must be to support a safe and welcoming environment for Jewish and pro-Israel students at the University of Illinois that is free of discrimination and harassment.
We acknowledge and affirm our shared belief in the rights of all members of the university community to express their viewpoints, identity and lived experiences. Every student should have the opportunity to have a transformative and positive educational experience from the day they arrive to the day they earn their degree. But acts and expressions of anti-Semitism—in any form—actively undermine the educational process and are in direct opposition to our core values.
For many Jewish students, Zionism is an integral part of their identity and their ethnic and ancestral heritage. These students have the right to openly express identification with Israel. The university will safeguard the abilities of these students, as well as all students, to participate in university-sponsored activities free from discrimination and harassment.
We deplore anti-Semitic incidents on campus, including those that demonize or delegitimize Jewish and pro-Israel students or compare them to Nazis. This subjects them to double standards that are not applied to others. All Jewish students, including those who identify with Israel or Jewish campus organizations, should be able to participate in campus activities aimed at fighting racism and achieving social justice.
All Jewish students should be able to proudly display religious emblems without fear of being targeted by their fellow students. All Jewish students should feel confident that if they encounter a swastika on campus, the university stands with them in rejecting symbols of hate. Anti-Semitism, anti-Semitic forms of anti-Zionism and other forms of discrimination have no place at this university. We will stand united against all forms of anti-Semitism.
We agree that our mutual priority must be to continue working together to more rapidly advance clear, concrete and actionable steps to support Jewish students, staff and faculty so their lived experiences match the expectations that brought them to the university in the first place. As a result:
• The university will create an Advisory Council on Jewish and Campus Life that will consist of undergraduate and graduate students, staff, faculty and alumni, as well as representatives from the Jewish community committed to the principles set forth in this statement. This advisory group will assist the chancellor and university leadership to identify opportunities to enhance the campus environment for all students, faculty and staff, and to advance its commitment to an inclusive community where all feel welcome. The university expects to have the Advisory Council on Jewish and Campus Life in place before the beginning of the Spring 2021 semester.
• As part of its broader and expanding efforts to curb hate and intolerance, and in consultation with the Advisory Council on Jewish and Campus Life, the university will institute focused and regularly recurring educational programming regarding anti-Semitism.
• The university will review, evaluate and, when necessary, revise procedures and practices so they are appropriately aligned with shared values opposing discrimination and harassment on campus, including anti-Semitic actions.Finally, we emphasize our shared commitment to the values of free speech and academic freedom. Freedom of speech is of paramount importance on a college campus. Also paramount is the university’s commitment to never tolerate harassment or discrimination, including against its Jewish students, and to enforce its nondiscrimination policy to the fullest extent. In this as well as all areas, the university is committed to complying with applicable federal, state and local antidiscrimination laws as a state and federally funded institution.
Though these steps will further our shared goals, they alone will not effectively dispel the environment that many Jewish students have felt to be unwelcoming. Thus, our collective and collaborative efforts will not end with these actions. The university, the undersigned organizations and Jewish students will meet before the end of the semester to discuss additional steps. We will work together to demonstrate that the University of Illinois is a place where people of all faiths, races, gender identities, ethnicities, national origins and viewpoints can live, learn and thrive.
…Adding… Rep. Jonathan Carroll…
This has been an issue for the past few years on UIUC’s campus as well as other schools around the country. I’m glad the school has agreed to take this more seriously, but to be very honest, I’m skeptical that the school will actually follow through. It took a PR campaign and lawsuit to get the school to agree to some changes, but as this story gets older, I’m concerned the school will ignore the blatant acts of anti-Semitism our Jewish students have been facing the last several years. I hope I’m proven wrong.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Nov 17, 20 @ 10:39 am
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Interesting. Being Muslim, I can see how this can happen. Quite similar to the case at San Francisco Community College.
Comment by PraireState Sense Tuesday, Nov 17, 20 @ 10:46 am
Bueller?
Comment by PraireState Sense Tuesday, Nov 17, 20 @ 11:13 am
Have their been a number of specific incidents lately?
Comment by Nathan Tuesday, Nov 17, 20 @ 11:14 am
=Have their been a number of specific incidents lately?=
How about every year making students vote on boycotting Israel?
Academia is detached from reality as always.
Comment by iggy Tuesday, Nov 17, 20 @ 11:16 am
Nathan
I’ll just say it. Many believe that higher education is fostering the notion we should destroy western civilization and all of its trappings. The antisemitic behavior towards Jews is increasing because of it-so it’s been alleged.
Comment by PraireState Sense Tuesday, Nov 17, 20 @ 11:22 am
Feds are coming–
https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Education-Department-investigating-anti-Semitism-15732202.php
Comment by Nearly Normal Tuesday, Nov 17, 20 @ 11:25 am
PraireState Sense
I don’t doubt that some people think that way. I attended UIUC 20 years and you heard about the occasional anti-Semitic incident. I was just curious if there have been more high profile incidents in recent history that would necessitate a stronger response.
Comment by Nathan Tuesday, Nov 17, 20 @ 11:32 am
As a proud Jewish American, I am angered that Jewish organizations continue to perpetuate the notion that Judaism and Zionism are inextricable. One is a religion and one is a political affiliation. It is not antisemetic per se to criticize the actions of Israel. It pains me that the U of I would not bother to articulate that nuance and would rather shut down speech rather than encourage students to explore those complexities.
Comment by Insiderous Tuesday, Nov 17, 20 @ 11:46 am
Humans are afflicted with racism…temporarily?…or fatally?
Can humans change their minds?…is the question.
Yes I believe is the answer.
Comment by Dotnonymous Tuesday, Nov 17, 20 @ 11:48 am
There have been some genuine incidents, including frequent vandalizing of the Chabad Center’s menorah.
But it’s hard to shake that what this mostly comes down to is trying to suppress UIUC Students for Palestine.
Comment by Nick Tuesday, Nov 17, 20 @ 12:13 pm
It only took a US Department of Education investigation to get their attention.
Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Nov 17, 20 @ 12:18 pm
I’m sorry Nick but that’s simply not true. There’s nothing in that statement that should have the effect of suppressing Students for Palestine.
Comment by slow down Tuesday, Nov 17, 20 @ 12:36 pm
You have to read really closely to find any defense of those who honestly criticize Israeli policy. Specifically criticizing …”anti-Semitic forms of anti-Zionism…” sounds more like a lawyer’s dodge than a full throated defense of respectful free speech.
Comment by Jibba Tuesday, Nov 17, 20 @ 12:52 pm
===sounds more like a lawyer’s dodge===
It’s accurate.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Nov 17, 20 @ 12:56 pm
=== I am angered that Jewish organizations continue to perpetuate the notion that Judaism and Zionism are inextricable. One is a religion and one is a political affiliation. ===
Zionism is not a political affiliation. It a nationalist movement in support of a Jewish homeland. Do you consider French, Japanese, or Palestinian self-determination a political affiliation?
Comment by Just Observing Tuesday, Nov 17, 20 @ 1:04 pm
Most Americans have managed to put anti-Semitism behind us. It bothers me that foreign disputes are being fought out within our country. We have enough problems here without importing more. This needs to be a neutral zone for foreign conflict.
When I worked In Saudi we had employees from both sides of the Sri Lankan civil war. The rule was no conflict in camp. Leave the civil war at home or go home
Comment by Last Bull Moose Tuesday, Nov 17, 20 @ 1:07 pm
Carroll should crack open a book (there’s been one written). It took the assassination of MLK for UIUC to think that it should speak with counselors at predominately Black high schools in the state and maybe institute fair admittance practices. The point? Don’t hold your breath.
Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Nov 17, 20 @ 1:20 pm
The U of I fired a tenured professor (clinging to the semantic argument that he hadn’t yet officially been “hired,” regardless) for posting several tweets on his own personal twitter account, posted over the summer when he was not officially working, that were sharply critical of Israel and Netanyahu. That action speaks louder than anything else.
They ended up paying a $900,000 judgement (taxpayer money) to settle his lawsuit.
Comment by filmmaker prof Tuesday, Nov 17, 20 @ 3:08 pm
Came here to say what Insiderous did.
Comment by Adam H Tuesday, Nov 17, 20 @ 3:48 pm
Running to the feds to complain that someone called you a “colonialist” and a “white supremacist” is next-level suppression.
Comment by A State Employee Guy Tuesday, Nov 17, 20 @ 6:25 pm
=Leave the civil war at home or go home=
Amen.
Comment by TinyDancer(FKASue) Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 9:22 am