BOSTON — Harvard University has settled two lawsuits accusing the school of failing to protect Jewish students from antisemitic bullying and harassment.
In the federal lawsuit filed last May by the Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law and Jewish Americans for Fairness in Education, the groups alleged Harvard left “cruel anti-Semitic bullying, harassment, and discrimination” unaddressed for years before and after the Hamas attacks, CNN reports. In Jan. 2024, Students Against Antisemitism, a group of six Harvard students, filed a separate lawsuit calling Harvard a “bastion of rampant anti-Jewish hatred and harassment.”
Last year, Harvard received a failing grade from the Jewish civil rights advocacy group Anti-Defamation League for its policies to protect Jewish students from antisemitism during protests on campus.
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As part of the settlements, Harvard has agreed to strengthen its policies against antisemitism on campus and adopt the widely-used International Holocaust Remembrance Association definition of antisemitism when reviewing complaints, which considers certain cases of anti-Zionist or anti-Israeli criticism as antisemitism, according to the Harvard Crimson. Harvard stated it will adopt the definition’s “accompanying examples,” which state that it is antisemitic to describe Israel’s existence as a “racist endeavor” or compare its contemporary policies to those of the Nazis.
The school also agreed to post a document online that clarifies people who identify as Jewish and Israeli are covered by the school’s non-discrimination and anti-bullying policies.
Additionally, the school has agreed to draft an annual report for the next five years that details its response to discrimination and harassment, hire a point person to consult with on all complaints of antisemitism, and provide training on combating antisemitism for staff who review the complaints.
Students Against Antisemitism, Brandeis Center Praise Harvard’s Efforts
A spokesperson for Students Against Antisemitism said the settlement shows Harvard is “demonstrating leadership in the fight against antisemitism and in upholding the rights of Jewish students.”
“We appreciate Harvard’s proactive approach to implementing effective long-term changes and its strong commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for every student who pursues their education on Harvard’s campus,” the spokesperson wrote in a statement.
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Kenneth L. Marcus, founder and chairman of the Brandeis Center, said in a statement the organization was “heartened that Harvard has agreed to take numerous important steps necessary to creating a welcoming environment for Jewish students.”
“When fully and faithfully implemented, this agreement will help ensure that Jewish students are able to learn and thrive in an environment free from anti-Semitic hate, discrimination, and harassment,” he said. “We thank those within Harvard, including administrators, faculty, students, and alumni, who have worked tirelessly to achieve this result.”