Professor Participates in Antisemitic Demonstrations 

Step 1 - Know Your Rights

Professors, particularly at public universities, have the same rights to freedom of speech as other individuals under the First Amendment. Private universities may have similar protections governed by institutional policies.

Step 2 - Review Faculty Code of Conduct

Many universities regulate faculty behavior through codes of conduct, especially when their actions impact their professional roles. A professor’s participation in a protest may be a concern if the professor creates a hostile or discriminatory environment for Jewish or pro-Israel students, the professor targets, threatens, or intimidates a specific student, the professor misuses university resources or their title to imply institutional endorsement of personal political views, the professor promotes or publicly supports terrorists or terror organizations, or their participation disrupts academic responsibilities, such as missing class or office hours.

Step 3 - Identify Potential Violations

Examples of policy violations may include: using inflammatory or hateful language that targets students based on religion, ethnicity, or political beliefs, engaging in harassment, intimidation, or discriminatory behavior during or as a result of the protest, or attending protests during scheduled academic duties, such as office hours or class time.

Step 4 - Document the Incident

Gather public information, such as photos, videos, or statements made by the professor at the protest. Note if university resources (e.g., faculty email, department platforms) were used to promote or endorse the protest. Describe specific instances where the professor’s actions have created a hostile or intimidating environment. Document any impact on your ability to participate fully in class or express your views. Note dates and times when the professor attended protests or rallies instead of fulfilling academic obligations, such as teaching or holding office hours.

Step 5 - File a Bias Report

Use your university’s bias reporting system to document your concerns. Include all evidence, such as public statements, recordings, or instances where the professor’s actions have affected their professional responsibilities. Reference specific university policies, such as the Faculty Code of Conduct, that prohibit harassment, discrimination, or the misuse of university resources.

Step 6 - Escalate to the Department Chair or Dean

Summarize your concerns and provide evidence of the professor’s participation in the protest, any inflammatory or discriminatory language, and disruptions to their academic duties. Request a meeting to discuss how the department plans to address the situation and ensure a supportive academic environment. If other students have been similarly affected, involve them in the complaint process to demonstrate that the issue impacts the broader classroom environment. Ask the other affected students to attend the meetings with the administrator(s); the more students, the better.

📩Click here for a draft you can use to raise concern with your department 📩

Step 7 - Monitor & Follow-Up

Maintain communication with the department chair or dean to ensure progress on your complaint. Keep records of all follow-ups and official responses for accountability. If the issue is not resolved satisfactorily, escalate your concerns to higher university administrators, such as the provost.