June 18, 2024
American Jewish Committee (AJC) CEO Ted Deutch, an alumnus of the University of Michigan, released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) announced Monday an agreement with the university following a Title VI investigation. Title VI prohibits discrimination based on race, color or national origin.
At AJC Global Forum last week in Washington, D.C., Deutch sat down with University of Michigan President Santa Ono for an on-the-record conversation to discuss the dangerous rise in antisemitism on Michigan’s campus and steps the school is taking to protect Jewish and pro-Israel students.
“The agreement between OCR and the University of Michigan is a positive step forward to ensure Jewish students, faculty, and staff are not subject to fear, intimidation, and threats on campus. Under this transparent blueprint for meaningful change, the Jewish community can hold the University accountable as it works to counter the antisemitism that has grown pervasive since Hamas’ massacre on October 7, and create a more welcoming and safe space for all. Other universities should adopt this model.
“AJC has already partnered with President Ono on initiatives to address antisemitism and provide a forum for civil discourse on difficult issues, something that has all but disappeared on many campuses. We continue to stand ready to provide our expertise and guidance to all universities that are working to address antisemitism within their communities.”
AJC is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people. With headquarters in New York, 25 regional offices across the United States, 15 overseas posts, as well as partnerships with 38 Jewish community organizations worldwide, AJC’s mission is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world. For more, please visit www.ajc.org
