Professor Issues
Antisemitism can sometimes appear in academic settings, whether through biased curricula, inappropriate classroom discussions, or unfair grading practices. Our guides help you identify, document, and report these incidents effectively.
what to do if your…
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Example: A professor cancels a scheduled class session and emails students, encouraging them to attend a political rally during the original class time. Additionally, the professors canceled office hours that same day to participate in the rally themselves.
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Example: A professor assigns a required reading for the course that exclusively presents anti-Israel viewpoints, framing Israel as the sole aggressor in the Middle East without offering balanced or scholarly perspectives, shutting down attempts to introduce alternative viewpoints. The syllabus, originally focused on Middle Eastern geopolitics, is skewed to repeatedly emphasize anti-Israel narratives, using the curriculum as a platform for political advocacy rather than academic exploration.
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Example: A student submits a research paper discussing Israel’s contributions to technology and innovation as part of the assignment's focus on global advancements. The professor returns the paper with a significantly lower grade, citing "bias" in the student’s perspective, despite the inclusion of reputable sources and adherence to the assignment criteria. When questioned, the professor criticizes the student's "Zionist viewpoint," suggesting that it undermines the academic objectivity of the work.
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Example: A professor repeatedly calls on you to “defend” Israel or represent Israel’s perspectives in discussions because you wear a Jewish star or otherwise display your Jewish identity.
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Example: A professor schedules an exam on Yom Kippur, despite being informed at the beginning of the semester that the holiday is one of the most significant days of observance for Jewish students. The professor refuses to provide an alternative exam date or accommodation when approached about the conflict.
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Example: The professor assigns a reading from a controversial author known for making antisemitic statements, such as Sayyid Qutb, whose writings include inflammatory claims about Jews in works like Milestones. The text is presented as a critical piece of Islamic thought without addressing or contextualizing its antisemitic content.
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Example: A professor claims that “Jews control the media,” denies or minimizes the Holocaust, or suggests that violence against Jewish people is justified. Other examples include glorifying terrorism, denying Jewish suffering in the October 7th attacks, or equating all Jews with the Israeli government.
COMING SOON
Professor participates in anti-israel demonstrations
Example: The professor publicly participates in an antisemitic demonstration held on campus, during which they display signs and deliver speeches that praise terrorist groups or target Jewish students on the basis of religion, shared heritage, or national origin.
Professor violates the syllabus to discuss the war or anti-israel topics
Example: The professor deviates from the syllabus, which outlines a focus on Middle Eastern art and sculpture, to instead spend significant class time discussing the war in Gaza following October 7. During these discussions, the professor frequently inserts anti-Israel rhetoric or encourages debate on politically charged topics unrelated to the academic focus of the course.