“F” letter grade for antisemitism at MSU sparks disagreement

EAST LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - A new report says Michigan State University is failing its Jewish students. The Anti-Defamation League recently gave MSU an “F” grade for a lack of policies to address antisemitic acts on campus.

While the league fights all types of hate, they were specifically founded to fight Jewish hate. They say the goal of the report cards is to encourage universities to do more to protect Jewish students. This is the first time the anti-hate organization has given this report card, and campus leaders say it’s not entirely accurate.

“We very much believe, that students at D & F campuses, may not be feeling the impact of incidents on campus or the lack of policies, because there is that strong support for Jewish life,” said Shira Goodman, the Senior Director for Advocacy at The Anti-Defamation League.

ADF is asking MSU to implement more antisemitism policies and create an advisory council to address the issue. While MSU received a perfect score for student life on campus, the league says certain categories were weighted.

The report says a November incident where an Israeli flag was torn down and stolen from a fraternity house, among other incidents, helps illustrate the challenges faced by Jewish students at MSU.

The university responded to their F grade in a written statement, saying in part, “Despite ADL’s reflection, antisemitism is a topic in our campus-wide diversity training (MSU DEI foundations), which is required for all students and employees. Further, the MSU office for institutional diversity and inclusion has actively promoted the 2023 antisemitism guide and offered a conversation series on the topic in both the fall and spring semesters of this academic year.” (The university’s entire statement can be read at the end of the article)

In response to claims that the report is not accurate, Goodman said, “So, students who might be saying, ‘This report card doesn’t reflect my (experience)’, it may be because Michigan State has such strong support for their Jewish students, which is amazing.”

For the category of Jewish student life, MSU was listed as completely fulfilling the criteria, with many support resources and student groups.

Alex Mison, the Co-President of MSU Chabad, says she’s more in-touch with her Jewish identity now than ever before.

“It really helped me find a sense of belonging. It’s been so supportive having all these great resources for Jewish students, provided by both the university and off campus groups like Chabad and Hillel,” said Mison, “So I think that really relying on those personal experiences, is a better picture, then different policies. However, it is always great to be improving.”

The grades were created through a combination of surveys, self-reporting, and case-by-case research into incidents of Jewish hate.

The ADL says they’ve invited the universities to a webinar next week to talk about how grades can be improved.

Other universities that received a failing letter grade, include Harvard and Stanford. The University of Michigan received a D grade.

MSU’s full statement says, “We feel ADL’s current grading does not accurately reflect the extensive work done across the campus and with our partners, including the Serling Institute for Jewish Studies and Modern Israel, Chabad, Hillel and others. We are proud of MSU’s Jewish student life on campus (which was a portion of ADL’s specific criteria).

In addition, MSU has advanced policies, operations and educational opportunities to support Jewish cultural celebrations, including menorah lighting, kosher dining options, religious accommodations and antisemitism education. Despite ADL’s reflection, antisemitism IS a topic in our campus-wide diversity training (MSU DEI Foundations), which is required for all students and employees. Further, the MSU Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion has actively promoted the 2023 antisemitism guide and offered a conversation series on the topic in both the fall and spring semesters of this academic year.

MSU is committed to the safety, security and well-being of all our students. Our university has a defined process to report bias incidents and for students seeking religious accommodations and support. While we are disappointed with ADL’s grading, we are proud that all nine categories under “Jewish Student Life on Campus” identify MSU as “completely fulfilling the specified criteria.” We are working with campus partners to see where we can continue to support our campus community, including our Jewish Spartans.”

MSU Hillel and Chabad posted the following statement regarding the grade on their Instagram account.

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