Barnard College has about 850 Jewish students, representing 28% of the undergraduate student body. Jewish students are supported by the Columbia/Barnard Hillel, Chabad and Jewish Greek life organizations. The College has a close relationship with the Jewish Theological Seminary.

What’s Happening on Campus?

In late October 2023, 650 members of the Barnard faculty signed a letter taking issue with the College president’s statement that anti-Zionist speech was hateful and discriminatory. The faculty letter stated that the College’s “conflation” of anti-Zionism with antisemitism amounts to an act of “suppression of political perspectives.”

In February 2024, a lawsuit was filed by several individual Columbia and Barnard Jewish students, alleging that “Jewish and Israeli students have been physically assaulted, spat at, threatened and subjected to relentless intimidation and vilification.”

In March 2024, Barnard’s Student Government Association approved a referendum to be voted on by the full student body calling for the College to divest from companies that profit from or engage in Israeli apartheid, and end the Dual Degree Program between Columbia and Tel Aviv University.

In the wake of new campus protest policies and dorm door decoration policies, students have reportedly vandalized the inside of the library bathroom with messages like, “RESISTANCE BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY” and “FREE PALESTINE.”

University Policies and Responsive Action

Barnard has launched a Task Force on Antisemitism, jointly with Columbia University and Teachers College. The College created a series of learning tools and programs to address the rise of antisemitism that involve top College leadership in conversation with students.

In the wake of October 7, the College strengthened its security protocols, revised its policy on demonstrations and dorm decorations, and reiterated the College Code of Conduct and commitment to enforce violations. The Columbia/Barnard SJP Chapter was also suspended in November 2023.

The administration has been active in consulting relevant stakeholders with respect to dealing with antisemitism and anti-Zionism on campus.