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.
Clarification: The brochures distributed to students in residence halls by the UO Palestine Coalition do not correlate with the antisemitic incidents that occurred on Nov. 10, according to an Instagram post by UO Students for Justice in Palestine, UO Climate Justice League, UO Faculty & Staff for Justice in Palestine, UO Young Democratic Socialists of America, UO Muslim Student Association and UO Jewish Voices for Peace.
Editor’s Note: A correction note has been issued to this article to include statements from Jewish Voice for Peace as well as clarifying the separation between the reports and the University of Oregon Palestine Coalition’s “Olive Tree” newsletter. This correction can be found here.
Justin Filip • Nov 17, 2024 at 12:28 am
Regarding your “clarification,” it’s not just “according to” an Instagram post. There is no relationship between “The Olive Tree” newsletter and any antisemitic acts. No imply otherwise was bad journalism.
Denise Waterford • Nov 16, 2024 at 2:24 pm
My aunt and I are Jewish and UO graduates. We don’t miss the place.
Gabriel • Nov 16, 2024 at 12:34 pm
Florida: Governor Ron DeSantis ordered “deactivation” of SJP chapters at University of Florida and University of South Florida12
Brandeis University: Banned its SJP chapter in November 202312
Columbia University: Suspended SJP chapter for fall term12
George Washington University: Suspended SJP chapter for three months12
SJP supports Hamas, engages in antisemitic rhetoric and actions, violates campus policies, creates hostile campus environment.
Kelly • Nov 16, 2024 at 10:11 am
It is laughably inappropriate that faculty are harassing undergraduate journalists in these comments. Thank you for your reporting.
Alison Helzer, SEIU • Nov 15, 2024 at 7:59 pm
Why were none of the groups listed in the clarification asked for comment to begin with? Surely there was a reason.
Mark • Nov 15, 2024 at 7:59 pm
Is UOregon offering degrees in hate or what? Between this and Serrato, what the heck is going on with this campus? Hopefully the U loses a lot of funding.
And fire Serrato already.
Riya Attam • Nov 15, 2024 at 5:49 pm
The Emerald wrote this article essentially restating a libelous email titled “Combatting Bias By Upholding Our Community Standards” without further investigating the Olive Tree newsletter, or clarifying that the contents were not at all antisemitic, or reaching out to anyone besides Hillel for comment. This article doesn’t meet any standards of basic journalistic integrity. Reaching out to the subjects of your story is a standard practice, and the fact that the Olive Tree newsletter was distributed on a different date than the antisemitic incidents in Unthank Hall obviously should have been clarified to ensure readers don’t confuse the two events.
This lack of thoroughness and clarity reflects very poorly on your work and the Emerald’s commitment to objective journalism.
Professor Cheyney Ryan • Nov 15, 2024 at 3:47 pm
I completely agree with Prof Dreiling’s point. I read the document in question last night and there is absolutely nothing anti-Semitic about it, though there are strong criticisms of Israeli policies of the sort endorsed by most of the human rights community. I think the authors of this document deserve an apology from the Emerald, and the U of O Adm deserves criticism for its irresponsible attacks on legitimate political expression.
Dr. Maxine Wren • Nov 15, 2024 at 2:59 pm
Not only did you draw a correlation by association between antisemitic activity and the Palestinian Coalition, you then put a milquetoast “clarification” as a footnote. You need to write a separate article that apologizes to the Palestinian Coalition. These are students (many of whom *are* Jewish) that have put their bodies, mental health, and academic futures on the line to protest a genocide that our school and nation continue to ignore. Shame on you!
Ellie Urbancic • Nov 15, 2024 at 5:40 pm
This is disingenuous, irresponsible reporting. Your false association of pro-Palestinian speech with antisemitic hatred leans into dangerous rhetoric, especially during a surge of mass censorship in American education. Your retroactive footnote is not enough.
Kelly • Nov 16, 2024 at 10:15 am
Do your job and stop bullying undergrads. Shame on you.
Professor Michael Dreiling • Nov 15, 2024 at 2:09 pm
The “clarification” seems insufficient. The article maintains the libelous conclusion that the Palestine Coalition distributed antisemitic materials. Is that your assertion?