Florida Atlantic U. launches diversity website
Step taken following complaints about Justice in Palestine’s ‘eviction’ of 200 Jewish students last year
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleWASHINGTON (JTA) — Florida Atlantic University launched a website promoting diversity following complaints from Jewish groups about activities on campus by a pro-Palestinian group.
The website features a video on which faculty and students describe the Boca Raton school as diverse and open to students of all faiths.
According to the Sun Sentinel newspaper, the video was created after meetings between the university leadership and the Florida chapter of the Anti-Defamation League.
Students for Justice in Palestine last year sent 200 students eviction notices bearing the university’s official stamp as a means of calling attention to what it said are Israel’s policies toward Palestinians.
A number of Jewish students among the 200 said they felt threatened by the notices and violated university policy.
The video on the new website launches with positive impressions from Jews, including a professor of Judaic studies, the president of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County and a Jewish student.
“FAU has done a great job, in my opinion, of bringing in multiple cultures and religions to the campus in one safe community,” the unidentified Jewish student says. “As a Jewish student, I have always felt warm and welcome at FAU.”
An African-American said she sought information about other minorities on campus, and named the campus Hillel House as one to which she turned.
The Times of Israel Community.