This commentary is by Matt Vogel, executive director of UVM Hillel.
With the recent resolution of the Title VI complaint against Harvard University this elite school can learn from our flagship institution, the University of Vermont. This moment represents a turning point, not just for Harvard, but for all higher education institutions grappling with how to create inclusive spaces for Jewish students in the face of rising antisemitism.
At UVM, where a similar complaint was resolved in 2023, we’ve witnessed firsthand how institutional commitments can translate into tangible improvements for Jewish life on campus. Policy updates, increased accountability, and public discourse have turned words into action and provided an improved campus climate.
A safer and more inclusive campus environment
One of the commitments from Harvard’s settlement is to look to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism. While this has been adopted at the Vermont state level via executive proclamation, there is no tangible working definition of antisemitism at UVM. Instead antisemitism is treated the same as anti-Asian, anti-Arab, and other forms of bias and harassment.
At UVM, similar steps have been transformative. For instance, UVM reviewed and revised its policies to include descriptions of discrimination specific to the university environment, ensuring consistency with Title VI. These changes, alongside robust enforcement, particularly at the conclusion of last spring, contributed to a notable decrease in antisemitic incidents on campus — from 74 last year to roughly 10 this past semester, according to information obtained from a public records request, and a recent conversation with UVM’s office of equal opportunity. Reported incidents are roughly in line with pre-Oct.-7 reporting and from other marginalized communities on our campus.
Fostering dialogue and understanding
Harvard’s promise to host annual academic symposia on antisemitism, including its manifestations on college campuses, echoes initiatives we’ve witnessed and participated in at UVM. Public panels and workshops have created opportunities for students, faculty and community members to engage in meaningful conversations about antisemitism and Jewish identity.
This fall the university held a symposium about Israel and Palestine. On Jan. 23, the Leonard and Carolyn Miller Holocaust Studies Center hosted Harvard’s own Derek Penslar for a lecture titled, “When Critique Becomes Hateful: Defining Antisemitism and Anti-Zionism.” Title VI opened the door for the university to be compelled to act and engage in public dialogue around controversial issues to give students the space to find their own relationship and connection to these topics.
Strengthening community and identity
For many Jewish students, Zionism is an integral part of their identity. Harvard’s recognition of this connection and its commitment to protecting students from discrimination based on their beliefs mirrors UVM’s actions.
I’ve learned over the years of engaging with this issue that free speech is free, but it has consequences. It was repugnant when student leaders in 2021 expelled Zionists from a sexual assault survivor support group or tweeted vulgarity in 2019 from a university-sponsored student club account. However, it still qualified as free speech. Unless a threat is specific to time, place and manner, it is still protected speech.
This can be incredibly difficult for students as they see their peers sharing antisemitic memes, social media posts decrying Zionism or broad statements applying Israeli policy to every one of its Jewish citizens. This isn’t easy, nor is it necessarily right, but that’s one of the critical reasons Hillel is here; to help students navigate the complexity of these days informed by their Jewish values. The Harvard Hillel and ours are vital university partners in shaping a safe and supportive campus life for all.
Comprehensive training and education
Both universities have emphasized the importance of training in their agreements. Harvard’s focus on educating staff and students about antisemitism aligns with UVM’s approach of training senior leadership, staff and students on Title VI’s prohibition against harassment based on national origin and shared ancestry. I have also heard that UVM is exploring new training modules that more fully represent the diversity of harassment and bias that Jewish students can face on campus. More education means a better response, and it’s incumbent on every faculty, staff, and administrator to support all students when they report bias and harassment based on their identity.
Looking ahead
At UVM, we’ve seen how hard work and accountability can turn aspirations into reality and a better lived experience for our Jewish students, and Harvard can learn from us. Our campus is now a place where Jewish students feel more safe, empowered, and inspired to grow. Even as antisemitism grew to untenable levels last year, UVM today is a great place to be Jewish and live a rich Jewish life of learning, culture, and exploration.Slowly but surely we are becoming a destination school in the northeast for Jewish families, because our university publicly and tangibly supports a thriving environment for Jewish life and learning in our community. As Jewish life at UVM continues to flourish, we invite Harvard to join us in demonstrating what’s possible when universities commit to creating inclusive, vibrant communities for Jewish students. By adopting and implementing robust measures supporting all students, we can envision a future where all kinds of Jewish life on campus are not just protected but celebrated.
Read the story on VTDigger here: Matt Vogel: Harvard can learn from UVM.