On Nov. 10., the University of Oregon received “disturbing reports of hateful, antisemitic incidents in Unthank residence hall,” according to an email statement by UO.
According to the statement, these reports included the “drawing of a swastika and the removal of items supportive of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas and supportive of Jewish students.”
“Acts of hate and antisemitism… are not only offensive but a direct attack on the values of respect, safety and inclusion that our community holds dear. These actions are intended to intimidate, and they have no place here,” Lenny Steinberg, executive director for Oregon Hillel, said.
According to Steinberg, antisemitism on college campuses is “deeply troubling and absolutely unacceptable.”
“The recent incident, where hateful symbols were drawn on a Jewish [Resident Assistant’s] photo, has been a stark reminder of the need to confront anti-semitism head on,” Steinberg said.
The email was signed by Angela Chong, vice president for student life, Nicole Commissiong, associate vice president, chief civil rights officer and Title IX coordinator and Michael Griffel, associate vice president of student services and enrollment management and director of university housing.
Additionally, the email said that multiple brochures were placed under the doors of students in at least three residence halls over the past few weeks.
The brochures, titled “The Olive Tree,” were signed by the UO Palestine Coalition and contained information about the Israel-Hamas War, claiming “Israel, [with U.S. support] remains unwavering in its genocidal campaign against the Palestinian people.”
According to UO’s statement, “incidents targeting any student because of their ancestry, national origin and/or religion are prohibited under university policy” and not in accordance with the Student Conduct Code.
“These investigations are ongoing and we cannot comment on specifics beyond what [was] mentioned in the email that went out to students. The incidents violate university policies and will not be tolerated,” Eric Howald, UO spokesperson, said.
The email urged students who have witnessed incidents like those described in the email to report them to resident assistants, community directors, trusted campus offices or to contact one of several resources that were listed in the statement.
