According to a recent Anti-Defamation League, Hillel International and College Pulse survey, eighty-three percent of Jewish college students have experienced or witnessed some form of anti-Semitism since the October 7th massacre.
By Rachel Avraham
According to a recent Anti-Defamation League, Hillel International and College Pulse survey, eighty-three percent of Jewish college students have experienced or witnessed some form of anti-Semitism since the October 7th massacre. Moreover, more than a quarter (27 percent) of Jewish students surveyed said they had observed antisemitic activity by faculty members. The survey also found that two-thirds (66 percent) of Jewish students were not confident in their university’s ability to prevent antisemitic incidents.
The recent survey also found that 22.9 percent of Jewish students felt compelled to take additional security precautions. Only about half (49.6 percent) of Jewish students reported feeling “very” or “extremely” comfortable with others on campus knowing their Jewish identity; 41 percent actively felt the need to hide their Jewish identity, and only 27 percent felt comfortable with others on campus knowing their views of Israel. Additionally, the recent survey noted that more than one-in-ten Jewish students (13 percent) have withdrawn from campus or social activities, compared to only 2 percent of non-Jewish students.
Even more alarmingly, an overwhelming majority of students (92.5 percent) who had reported witnessing or experiencing an incident of antisemitism on campus did not report the incident to campus authorities: “Low awareness about what to do and a lack of confidence that they would get the help they needed drove many students to not report incidents of campus antisemitism.”
“Since the October 7 attack in Israel, Jewish students have felt increasingly threatened, unwelcome and unsupported on campus, both by students and faculty,” said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO. “It is unacceptable that Jewish students cannot be confident in their university’s ability to address and prevent antisemitic incidents, and that they now live in a world in which they feel compelled to conceal their identity and beliefs. These findings underscore the urgent need for university leaders to step up and protect Jewish students.”
“These findings paint a deeply concerning picture of what Jewish students are facing on campuses today,” said Adam Lehman, President and CEO of Hillel International. “As we work to ensure that campuses are free from antisemitism, we are committed to creating spaces where Jewish students can build vibrant communities and express their identities with pride. No student should ever feel the need to hide who they are or take extra precautions to protect themselves while they’re living and learning at school.”
In partnership with Hillel International and College Pulse, ADL fielded a survey of college students at 135 universities across the United States in the fall semester of 2024. This survey was conducted by College Pulse, an online survey and analytics platform focused on American college students. College Pulse’s proprietary panel includes more than 950,000 college students from more than 1,500 institutions of higher education across all 50 states. This survey employed an oversample of Jewish students, with 1,030 Jewish students and 1,140 non-Jewish students responding. Responses from non-Jewish students were gathered from 135 colleges and universities, while responses from Jewish students were gathered from 128 of these colleges and universities.
In response to rising rates of antisemitism and discrimination on college campuses, a group of New York state legislators introduced a new package of bills aimed at protecting students from harassment and bias, QNS reported. According to the report, the legislation, which targets colleges and universities across the state, was announced by Assembly Members Nily Rozic and Micah Lasher and State Senators Leroy Comrie and Toby Ann Stavisky, who are working together to safeguard students of all identities.
QNS reported that the first bill, the Assuring College Campus and Educational Safety and Support (ACCESS) Act, is sponsored by Comrie in the Senate and Lasher in the Assembly. According to the report, the ACCESS Act requires colleges and universities to implement clear rules prohibiting discriminatory harassment, establish reporting and investigation mechanisms, and take steps to prevent unaffiliated individuals from engaging in discriminatory actions on campus.
“Every student deserves to learn in an environment free from harassment, discrimination, and fear,” said Comrie, who represents the 14th Senatorial District of Queens. “The ACCESS Act strengthens protections for students by holding educational institutions accountable for ensuring a safe and inclusive atmosphere for all.”
QNS reported that the second bill in the package, sponsored by Stavisky in the Senate and Rozic in the Assembly, mandates that every college and university in New York State appoint a dedicated Title VI Coordinator. According to the report, this role would ensure compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by promoting equal access to education and services for students regardless of race, color, or national origin. QNS noted that the legislation aims to reinforce the fundamental right to an education free from discrimination and bias.
“In the face of rising discrimination and harassment on college campuses, we must take decisive action to protect students of all backgrounds,” said Rozic, who represents New York’s 25th District. “By ensuring every New York college and university has a dedicated Title VI Coordinator, we are reinforcing the fundamental right to an education free from bias and intimidation.”
