Jewish college students are complaining that some in pro-Palestinian protests are calling for violence against them. Administrators are under pressure to stifle these calls while reserving free expression on campus. (The New York Times, December 17, 2023, by Vimal Patel and anna Betts)
Professor Michael Berube and Jennifer Ruth in The New Republic, December 18, 2023, argue that university presidents should not shoulder the burden of differentiating between hate speech and free speech. They recommend with the American Association of University Professors that all such issues be handled by faculty committee perhaps comprised of representatives from the administration, student government and the faculty.
PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel, Time, December 15, 2023, argues that it is not right to think that the only choices are to ban hate speech or let its “pollution seep freely through communities.” Nossel says it is essential to confront antisemitism without restricting speech. She recommends that the schools establish task forces that would deal with prejudices through “education, awareness-raising, building mutual support and solidarity between diverse campus constituencies, and elevating the visibility and influence of Jewish voices on campus. Equity and student life personnel should be educated about the many forms that antisemitism takes, and that it includes some (though not all) efforts to demonize the State of Israel. They must learn to treat antisemitism as they do other forms of intolerance. Transparent, viewpoint-neutral policy enforcement on protests and postering can prevent aggressive campaigning from interfering unduly with dorm or classroom life.”