ADL report card finds some campuses fixing responses to antisemitism

Dozens of American universities enacted major policy changes in response to rising campus antisemitism over the past year, according to a “report card” published by the Anti-Defamation League on Monday.

Of 85 schools surveyed a year ago, some 45 percent made significant policy changes regarding antisemitic activity on campus, the ADL report showed. Nearly all of the schools revised their policies for demonstrations, following anti-Israel protests that erupted on campuses across the country last year, disturbing academic activities and often leading to complaints from Jewish students that they no longer felt safe.

Despite the progress, many schools are still failing their Jewish students, according to the ADL, which expanded the survey this year to cover 50 more schools.

Out of 135 institutions surveyed in the report, 49 schools, or 36 percent, were given a grade of A or B, up from 23.5 percent in 2024. Meanwhile, 41 schools or 31%, received a D or F, down from 44% in its report card last year, though the ADL revised its 2024 findings in June to give 12 schools better grades.

Following the events of October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched its deadly war against Israel, US college campuses have been a prime battleground for anti-Israel activists. A separate ADL survey published last month found that 83% of Jewish college students experienced or witnessed antisemitism since the beginning of the war, and 66% said they were not confident in their school’s ability to prevent antisemitic incidents.

“Every single campus should get an A. This isn’t a high bar – this should be the standard,” said ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt. “While many campuses have improved in ways that are encouraging and commendable, Jewish students still do not feel safe or included on too many campuses. The progress we’ve seen is evidence that change is possible – all university leaders should focus on addressing these very real challenges with real action.”

ADL gave A grades to eight schools: Brandeis University, CUNY Queens College, CUNY Brooklyn College, Elon University, Florida International University, University of Alabama, University of Miami, and Vanderbilt University.

Anti-Israel protesters at the gates of Columbia University, January 21, 2025. (Luke Tress/Times of Israel)

Notable improvements were identified at CUNY Queens College, Georgetown University, Harvard University, Michigan State University, SUNY Purchase College, SUNY Rockland Community College, Tufts University, University of Michigan, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, and Vanderbilt University, all of which moved up by two grades. Harvard, Tufts University and UNC Chapel Hill had previously received failing grades.

“We’re glad that improving the campus climate for Jewish students was a priority for many of these schools, and we hope all colleges and universities understand the importance of developing and enforcing strong policies and procedures to create a safe and welcoming environment for Jewish students and all students,” said ADL vice president of advocacy Shira Goodman.

The ADL gave failing marks to 13 schools: California Polytechnic State University, DePaul University, Evergreen State College, Haverford College, Loyola University New Orleans, Pitzer College, Pomona College, Portland State University, Scripps College, The New School, University of California – Santa Barbara, University of Illinois – Chicago, and University of Minnesota.

Columbia University and its sister school, Barnard College, both received D grades. While both schools have made progress in enforcing antisemitism policies, violent protests continue to threaten Jewish students, with anti-Israel activists disrupting a History of Modern Israel class at Columbia in January and occupying a building on Barnard’s campus in February.

Schools were evaluated according to their responses in three areas: administrative action and policies, campus conduct and climate concerns, and Jewish life on campus. The report card also incorporated qualitative assessments evaluating how universities enforce policies, engage Jewish communities, and respond to incidents. The full report card can be found here.