The Anti-Defamation League has released its second campus report card — this time, evaluating 135 institutions compared to 85 last year, rating how schools combat antisemitism. Elon University received an “A,” along with Brandeis University, CUNY Queens College, CUNY Brooklyn College, Florida International University, University of Alabama, University of Miami and Vanderbilt University. Last year, Elon and Brandeis University were the only two schools to receive the top grade.
Jewish students were surveyed on three key areas; the importance of policies and procedures affecting them, the significance of Jewish life on campus, and the concerns of anit-Zionist groups and antisemitism on campus.
Out of the 135 surveyed institutions, 49 schools received a grade of “A” or “B,” and 41 schools received a “D” or “F.”
The ADL released its first campus report card in April 2024 in response to antisemitism on college campuses following the Hamas attack Oct. 7, 2023, at the Nova Music festival in Israel.
The new report card shows progress on certain campuses, with schools such as Harvard University moving from an “F” to a “C.”
University of North Carolina,Chapel Hill also moved up two grades, from an “F” to a “C,” along with nine other schools.
Betsy Polk, director of Jewish Life at Elon, said she felt a sense of gratitude when the report card was released. She said Jewish life is very much part of the fabric and collaboration within the Elon community.