University of Virginia receives an 'F' for antisemitism as protests continue on campus

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

As anti-Zionism demonstrations continue to creep up on college campuses across the nation, the ADL has been active in keeping score of antisemitic incidents prior to the latest campus uprisings, with the goal to serve students and their families information on the “current state of antisemitism on campus” and how those institutions respond.

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

The University of Virginia has thus far been able to contain the protests, staving off encampments—drawing a line in the sand respecting students’ right to free speech while making it clear the university stands firm on protecting property and maintaining “a safe atmosphere free from disruption.”

Regardless of the university’s firm stance, the school carries a failing grade on how it deals with antisemitism on campus and its response.

It appears that many of the troubling antisemitic incidents have been perpetrated by students.

“Incidents [of antisemitic rhetoric from faculty and staff] were marked as severe and occurred much less frequently than incidents wherein perpetrators were students,” the spokesperson added.

The ADL reports high incidents of “severe antisemitic and anti-Zionist incidents” on campus, “many hostile anti-Zionist student government” activities, and the presence of “hostile anti-Zionist student groups."

The report details alleged incidents of antisemitic activities on campus, including “one Jewish student said he has received death threats since Oct. 7, was physically assaulted while counterprotesting at an anti-Israel walkout and has been called antisemitic slurs.”

In addition, 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 passed a referendum recently calling for divestment from companies that do business with Israel.”

The ADL also stated that an art history professor canceled her class in an act of solidarity with the “divestment movement,” prior to the referendum being passed.

In response to the incidents, in December, UVA formed a task force on Religious Diversity and Belonging to assess reports of antisemitic incidents and “recommending educational offerings.”

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

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

The ADL also reports that the university has “partially” fulfilled criteria, including antisemitism in its Code of Conduct and Policies. Despite UVA spending approximately $20 million annually on their diversity, equity and inclusion program staff salaries, the ADL reports the school has only partially fulfilled its criteria for mandatory antisemitic education for students and staff. In addition, the groups say the school partially fulfills its criteria to publicly condemn antisemitic incidents.

In contrast, the university has fulfilled much of the criteria for reporting antisemitic incidents, providing an advisory council to address antisemitism, providing a clear policy on religious accommodations, and has 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 the awareness of Jewish holidays.