A new ADL report card of college campus antisemitism gave the University of Minnesota an “F” for 2024 as incidents on campus ramped up in the wake of the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks that led to war between Israel and Hamas.
While giving an excellent rating to Jewish life on campus – citing Hillel, Chabad and Jewish Greek life – the report said that publicly disclosed administrative actions were below expectations and the campus conduct and climate concerns were rated “high.”
In a statement, the University of Minnesota said it continues to “stand firmly against antisemitism.”
“We are confident in our approach to combating hate and bias on our campus,” the statement read. “We have and will continue to respond promptly and fully to any reports of harassment, intimidation, or bias against Jewish students — or any other members of our University community — in accordance with our University values, our own policies, and our responsibility under the law.”
The statement is the same one the school released to the media last month after it was announced the Department of Education would be investigating the university for antisemitism.
The ADL survey was conducted in the fall 2024 semester. The grade was weighted based on the polling of school policies and antisemitic incidents (31.5 percent each), Jewish campus life (27 percent), and a “qualitative assessment” – evaluating how well universities enforce policies, engage Jewish communities, and respond to real-world incidents – making up the remaining 10 percent. Only incidents occurring between April 1 and December 31, 2024, were recorded.
Nationwide, 36 percent of schools were graded an A or B, up from 23.5 percent in 2024; 9.6 percent of schools received an F.
“While many campuses have improved in ways that are encouraging and commendable, Jewish students still do not feel safe or included on too many campuses,” ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said in a statement. “The progress we’ve seen is evidence that change is possible – all university leaders should focus on addressing these very real challenges with real action.”
The University of Minnesota saw a number of incidents on campus during pro-Palestinian protests that took place in the spring of 2024 and again at the start of the fall 2024 semester.
The ADL report cited flyers displaying messages such as “Nothing but hate for Israel and Zionism;” the encampment in front of Northrop Auditorium; the takeover of Morill Hall that led to 11 arrests and nearly $70,000 of damage; and the anti-Israel protest alumni and members of the community held outside of Hillel on October 7, 2024.
The U has drawn a lot of attention of late. In addition to the ADL report card and the Department of Education investigation, the Department of Justice announced that the University of Minnesota was one of 10 schools the agency’s Federal Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism would be visiting due to the increased antisemitic activity on campus.
Also, the AMCHA Initiative, a non-profit organization that ostensibly combats antisemitism at institutions of higher education in America, rated the University of Minnesota faculty as the second-most extreme in the country when it comes to anti-Zionism, behind New York University.
Emily Boskoff, the executive director of Minnesota Hillel, said that her organization has taken notice of the steps that the school has taken to address antisemitism under the new administration of President Rebecca Cunningham.
That includes, she said, the University of Minnesota‘s participation in Hillel International’s Campus Climate Initiative. The U is one of 18 schools in the 2025-26 cohort.
Boskoff was pleased with the ADL’s “excellent” score for Jewish life on campus.
“Minnesota Hillel is proud to help build strong Jewish identities during transformational times in their lives, and we’re doing our best to make sure Minnesota is a place that Jewish students can thrive in and want to attend,” she said. Boskoff cited the organization’s recent “late night” event, where they were open until 1 a.m. and nearly 60 students came and took part.
“It wasn’t just our most engaged students,” who took part, she said. “They wanted to come and celebrate Jewish joy. We’re so lucky to be a part of that every single day.”
Rabbi Yitzi Steiner, who leads Chabad on campus, was also pleased with the strong student life marks in the report. But after polling students about what they are seeing on campus, he was surprised with the school’s overall grade.
“I don’t think we are any worse than other schools,” he said. “Maybe we’re not sitting as pretty as some places, but there aren’t daily complaints.
“There has been a general rise in antisemitism since Oct. 7, but nothing out of hand. We’re grateful to the U for what they are doing, but at the same time, they could be doing better.”
The University of Minnesota has not made a statement about its participation in the Campus Climate Initiative.
“[The U is] on these lists, in part, because they are unwilling to talk about how they’re doing the right thing,” the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas said in a statement. “They still can’t say ‘Yes, antisemitism is a problem. We’re not oblivious to this.’
“You can make the 85 percent of the Jewish community who believe it’s important to support Israel happy, or you can make the students and activists who take over Morrill Hall and terrorize the staff happy. You can’t do both.”
Thanks for this info. Based on my child’s experience at the U, I tend to agree with Rabbi Yitzi’s position.