Barnard settles with Jewish students over antisemitism
Barnard College has reached a settlement with Jewish students following a lawsuit concerning antisemitism on campus, which was sparked by pro-Palestinian protests. The college’s president,Laura Ann Rosenbury,committed to not engaging with the association Columbia University Apartheid Divest and plans to enforce stricter measures against antisemitism,aligning with definitions from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance. This follows incidents where demonstrators displayed violent imagery and incendiary messages during protests.The college will enhance its policies and appoint a Title VI coordinator to address antisemitism enforcement, both in-person and online. The settlement aims to ensure a safe and inclusive surroundings for all students. The situation occurs against the backdrop of broader issues regarding antisemitism in educational institutions, exemplified by recent funding losses for Harvard University due to its handling of similar concerns.
Barnard settles with Jewish students after pro-Palestinian protests
Barnard College on Monday settled a lawsuit filed by Jewish students and committed to a tougher stance on antisemitism.
As part of the settlement, Barnard President Laura Ann Rosenbury “will not recognize, meet, or negotiate with Columbia University Apartheid Divest, any of its successor or spin-off organizations, or anyone acting as authorized representative(s),” per a released statement. The group most recently organized a demonstration in March.
At the time, masked protesters handed out fliers with what the university called “violent imagery.” Others hung posters that read, “Burn Barnard, Burn.” Police arrested and charged some protesters involved.
The Columbia University affiliate created a new Title VI position that will enforce the heightened stance on antisemitism, which the college defines as the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance does as “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.”
Enforcement will include “conduct that occurs on Columbia’s campus or online, including social media posts,” according to a joint statement from Barnard and its former plaintiffs, Students Against Antisemitism and StandWithUs Center for Legal Justice. The lawsuit was filed in February, almost a year after protesters set up encampments on campus.
“Today’s settlement reflects our ongoing commitment to maintaining a campus that is safe, welcoming, and inclusive for all members of our community,” Rosenbury said in a statement Monday.
“These new measures, including enhanced training and a dedicated Title VI coordinator, build on Barnard’s existing policies and make our standards and expectations for treating one another, both on and off campus, crystal clear.”
HARVARD LOSES ANOTHER $60 MILLION IN GRANTS OVER ANTISEMITISM
The settlement comes weeks after the Department of Health and Human Services announced it is canceling $60 million worth of grants for Harvard University due to the school’s “failure” to respond to antisemitism.
Barnard is the school where Rep. Ilhan Omar’s (D-MN) daughter, Isra, attended when she participated in the protests last year. The school suspended her for her participation.
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