Federal report reveals University of Michigan disregarded numerous allegations of antisemitic occurrences on campus.
The findings from the agency's Office of Civil Rights indicated that the University seemed to have neglected evaluating whether reported incidents created a hostile environment for students, faculty, or staff, and if so, to take appropriate actions to eliminate the hostile environment, undo its consequences, and prevent its reoccurrence.
The federal agency examined 67 complaints, several of which were older than the Israel-Hamas conflict, and discovered that the University only delved into a single complaint.
One such complaint centered on a demonstration on campus in October 2023, where people were heard shouting "Nazi liberation." The federal report noted that the university's civil rights office merely redirected the reports to public affairs for a response.
A complaint from January 2023 detailed individuals participating in a parade on campus, allegedly chanting for the elimination of Jewish people and the state of Israel. The Department of Education report uncovered no evidence that the university had taken any action. Instead, it stated, "the matter, as reported, appears to be beyond the scope of ECRT," the university's office responsible for handling civil rights complaints about faculty and staff. The office deemed the chanting a "protected activity."
A student who joined a pro-Palestinian protest the previous year shared that someone had yelled at her, accusing her of supporting rape and murder, and having terrorist associates. The case was closed following the school's arrangement of restorative circles for staff, faculty, and students.
A 2016 diversity study conducted by the University of Michigan revealed that 8% of students and 10% of faculty were Jewish. Fewer than 3% of faculty and students identified as Muslim.
In a mutual understanding, the University of Michigan consented to investigating complaints more meticulously, acknowledging the necessity to assess whether each reported incident had engendered a hostile environment. It will also "develop a comprehensive annual training program on discrimination and harassment."
In a statement on Monday, the University of Michigan declared, "This agreement exemplifies the university's dedication to ensuring it possesses the necessary tools to discern whether an individual's actions or words create a hostile environment, and taking appropriate actions to offer a safe and supportive educational environment for all."
In a second resolution announced on Monday, the Department of Education reached a similar agreement with the City University of New York in response to numerous complaints of discrimination against both Jewish and Palestinian students "based on their actual or perceived national origin/shared ancestry."
The university agreed to provide a refresher for Office of Diversity and Compliance employees and additional training for campus officers.
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Despite the federal report highlighting the University's neglect in dealing with numerous antisemitic incidents, the university committed to investigating complaints more thoroughly and improving its response system.
In their statement, the University of Michigan emphasized their commitment to ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all students, recognizing the importance of addressing reports of hostile environments.
