Ohio State Helped Allow 'Unprecedented Antisemitic Harassment,' Needs to Be 'Accountable': Jewish Groups

The Ohio State University has been faced with another federal complaint where it failed to address antisemitic events on and near campus since Hamas's Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

The complaint was filed by three prominent Jewish organizations with the US Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights on Tuesday (Apr. 9), accusing the university of inadequately addressing multiple incidents of harassment and violence against Jewish and Israeli students.

According to the organizations filing the lawsuit, the university's improper response to such incidents violates federal anti-discrimination laws.

According to NBC's Columbus affiliate, the groups behind the complaint were StandWithUs, an international nonprofit that describes itself as an "Israel education organization" and opponent of antisemitism; the Anti-Defamation League (ADL); and the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law.

They said that, since Oct. 7, antisemitism on and near campus has "run the gamut," from targeted harassment of Ohio State's Hillel Center to students being called antisemitic slurs and assaulted.

"Since October 7, Jewish students on campuses nationwide have faced unprecedented antisemitic harassment and discrimination," StandWithUs CEO Roz Rothstein said in a news release.

"Ohio State University is no exception. Antisemitism is expressed openly; blatant verbal and physical threats and attacks on Jewish students often go unaddressed by the administration. By filing this Title VI federal complaint, we aim to hold the administration accountable."

Ohio State Hillel CEO Naomi Lamb also said a "disconnect" existed between the school's efforts and its culture.

"Antisemitism must not be tolerated at OSU in any form," she said in a separate statement. "[T]here is a disconnect between their heartfelt efforts and the overall University culture Jewish students experience. This Title VI complaint confirms the urgent need for more action. We hope to continue to work together to create a campus where Jewish students can learn and live without harassment and intimidation. This is the work that OSU Hillel does every day, and we look forward to continuing to lead the efforts to combat antisemitism on our campus."

The groups also took aim at protesters and groups on campus that oppose Israel's war in Gaza, including Students for Justice in Palestine, in its complaint, saying that multiple protests on campus have led to antisemitic sentiment and rhetoric.

"On November 17, 2023, an unaffiliated student group staged a demonstration inside of Thompson Library, unfurling a large banner, shouting slogans falsely accusing Israel of 'genocide,' and loudly reading out the names of people killed in Gaza, disrupting the study space there for approximately an hour," the complaint read.

Meanwhile, an Ohio State spokesperson said the university "has never - and will never - tolerate discrimination or harassment of anyone based on their religious beliefs, nationality or identity."

The university separately sent a letter to StandWithUS, saying that the complaint inaccurately described the university's response and that they have been "focused on supporting members of our university community" since Oct. 7.

Ohio State also said it was beholden to the First Amendment speech protections but was "fully prepared" to address speech that incited violence.

The response letter pointed to multiple steps Ohio State has taken to address antisemitic harassment, boost safety on and off campus, and support students and staff.

The university added more security cameras, increased its police force's joint patrol of the off-campus area with Columbus police, and has a dedicated detective assigned to the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Forces.

Ohio State's letter explained that several of the incidents StandWithUs included in the complaint were not reported to the university.

Of the ones that were, the university said that the complaint "mischaracterizes the university's response" in one instance and otherwise inaccurately laid out the timeline of events and responses.

In addition to opening investigations into reports, Ohio State has made multiple public statements condemning antisemitic harassment and violence against students.

"Through both our words and, importantly, our actions, we continually reaffirm and communicate messaging focused on our expectations regarding an environment of respect and compassion during this extraordinarily difficult time for many on our campuses," the response letter added. "It is very disappointing that your letter to us does not accurately represent what has occurred at Ohio State or the university's strong and ongoing response."

The Office of Civil Rights has already been investigating Ohio State after it received a complaint that the university has failed to address antisemitism.

Since Oct. 7, federal investigations have been opened into more than three dozen colleges for alleged discrimination based on shared ancestry. However, the office's investigations are lengthy and could take years to resolve.