A pro-Jewish alumni group, Alums for Campus Fairness (ACF), is launching a robust social media ad campaign aimed at pressuring Columbia University and its affiliated Barnard College to take decisive action against anti-Semitism on their campuses, as was recently reported in the New York Post. The six-figure advocacy and awareness campaign accuse both institutions of consistently failing to protect Jewish students from discrimination and harassment.
Avi Gordon, executive director of Alums for Campus Fairness, stated, “By refusing to take meaningful action against anti-Semitism and, in some cases, enabling it themselves, Columbia and Barnard leadership is complicit in creating a culture of hatred on campus,” according to the report in the Post.
The campaign comes in the wake of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Education and the Workforce expanding its investigation into anti-Semitism in higher education. As was noted in the Post report, Columbia and Barnard, along with Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, have come under scrutiny as part of this investigation.
Recent incidents at Columbia University, such as the emergence of an anti-Semitic flier depicting a skunk in the colors of the Israeli flag and a Star of David, have intensified concerns within the Jewish community, the report in the Post said. Alums for Campus Fairness notes that over 100 faculty members at Columbia, including 33 at Barnard, signed a letter defending Hamas’ October 7 massacre as a “military action.”
Additionally, the group highlighted that more than 10% of faculty at Barnard College justified atrocities, including sexual violence against women and girls, by attempting to contextualize them within the larger framework of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights initiated an investigation last November into allegations of anti-Semitism or Islamophobia at three New York schools: Columbia University, Cornell University, and Cooper Union. The Post also reported that Alums for Campus Fairness criticized Barnard College for canceling classes for a “Day of Dialogue and Reflection” at the beginning of the spring term, with Hatem Bazian, a lecturer from the University of California-Berkeley, alleged to be one of the country’s “leading antis American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) and Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) founder, The report in the Post said that Hatem Bazian, has been a prominent figure in advocating for Palestinian rights and supporting the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. Bazian’s involvement with SJP led to the group’s suspension from Columbia University due to unauthorized Israel-focused events held on campus.
The statements from both institutions underscore their dedication to addressing concerns over anti-Semitism.
The social media campaign by Alums for Campus Fairness seeks to bring attention to what they perceive as a lack of effective measures against anti-Semitism and discrimination on these prestigious campuses. As the push gains momentum, it places increased pressure on Columbia University and Barnard College to address these concerns, fostering a campus environment that is inclusive and respectful of all students, regardless of their backgrounds or beliefs.
American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) and Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) founder, Hatem Bazian, has been a prominent figure in advocating for Palestinian rights and supporting the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. Bazian’s involvement with SJP led to the group’s suspension from Columbia University due to unauthorized Israel-focused events held on campus.
In light of recent concerns over anti-Semitism at Columbia and Barnard, Alums for Campus Fairness (ACF) has urged both institutions to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of anti-Semitism. Additionally, ACF called for the enforcement of student conduct codes and a clear denunciation of any defense of Hamas’ actions.
Columbia University responded to these concerns, with a spokesperson stating that President Minouche Shafik has reiterated the institution’s stance against anti-Semitic actions and is taking measures to address them promptly. The university emphasized the need to tackle the root causes of anti-Semitism and announced the establishment of a task force to enhance support for all members of the Columbia, Barnard, and Teachers College communities, particularly Jewish students.
Similarly, Barnard College affirmed its commitment to fostering an inclusive environment and condemned anti-Semitism and all forms of hatred unequivocally. The college emphasized its responsibility to ensure a peaceful and welcoming space for all students and noted its participation in the anti-Semitism task force alongside Columbia and Teachers College.
