Wyoming. At the University of Wyoming, campus police are investigating what has been dubbed “the pumpkin incident.” On Halloween, instructors found carved pumpkins near the student union displaying a swastika, the word ‘Hitler’ and a Klansman. UW Police have identified those responsible but claim there was no malicious intent, opting to squash the problem with education rather than charges (apparently, hate symbols are just misunderstood seasonal décor). The display comes just one week after someone wrote “Kill Jews” on a “free speech ball.” While no criminal charges were filed, the university is reviewing both incidents as potential harassment. ADL Mountain States says the incidents have “caused real harm, making Jewish students and other marginalized community members feel unsafe and unwelcome.”

(Courtesy Adam Blackler and University of Wyoming Police Department)

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Maryland. The University of Maryland’s student government association (SGA) passed a non-binding resolution 25–0 to ban former IDF soldiers from speaking on campus — a response to an October event where a student group hosted Israeli veterans. The vote may be toothless (SGA resolutions don’t affect policy), but it sends a message: open dialogue is not welcome. Jewish students aren’t backing down. “We will not be silenced by them (SGA),” said event organizer Uriel Appel, who’s already planning to bring another speaker to campus. Hillel called the vote “divisive.” Thankfully, the administration confirmed it’s not changing policy despite the vote.

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Cornell. After the anti-Israel protests that roiled schools since 10/7, the federal government asserted that Cornell University was one of many schools that had not done enough to combat antisemitism. Last week, the federal government and Cornell University reached a deal where the school pays $60 million (with some funds going to the government and some to programs centered on agriculture) and will regain access to $250 million in federal funding. Among the steps Cornell agreed to is to conduct “annual surveys to evaluate the campus climate for students, including the climate for students with shared Jewish ancestry” and to align with White House preferences on some civil rights concerns including antisemitism.

DEEPER: Getting ready to consider colleges? One helpful resource is ADL’s Campus Antisemitism Report Card, which assesses how 135 schools including Cornell are addressing antisemitism.

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Pomona. Two student protesters who disrupted a 10/7 memorial event held by Claremont Hillel at Pomona College have been identified and temporarily barred from any access to the college campus, which described the demonstration as “targeted harassment.” The identified students apparently attend a sister school of Pomona’s; the school continues to seek two other protesters. At the event, masked demonstrators pushed into the memorial gathering and shouted anti-Israel slogans before being expelled from the room. After the disruption, an anonymous letter was sent to the school newspaper implying it was from the protesters and said "Zionism is a death cult that must be dealt with accordingly."

Masked protestors disrupt a 10/7 memorial at Pomona. (Source: Claremont Independent)

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Israeli Scholars Isolated. Across Europe, Israeli academics are increasingly facing boycotts from universities and professional associations. In one case, the European Association of Archaeologists told 23 Israeli scholars they could join a conference only if they hid their institutional affiliations, a move later reversed but seen as reflective of a broader trend. Officials in Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain have suspended research partnerships and student exchanges, and many expect the restrictions to continue even after the ceasefire.

DEEPER: Learn more about the impacts and implications of academic boycotts in our backgrounder on Understanding and Countering Soft and Shadow Boycotts of Israel.

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New York. At a time when Jewish students are feeling isolated on many campuses, Vassar just cut the ribbon on something extraordinary: the world’s first carbon-neutral Chabad House. Part cozy living room, part spiritual sanctuary and 100% powered by solar vibes, the new timber-frame space is more than a building, it’s a statement of belonging. Built post-10/7 with student support and a $3M investment, it’s now an 8,000-square-foot home-away-from-home for Vassar’s 600 Jewish students. Carved Torah verses, bubbie-style cooking class and a game room in the basement? College students will feel right at home. In a year defined by fear, this Chabad is choosing joy, belonging, and sustainability.

Conversation Instead of Badgering. The University of Wisconsin is eager to try to talk things out and promote engagement to improve the campus climate. The school is a pilot recipient of a national “From Prejudice to Pluralism Grant” that is geared to helping faculty and staff address antisemitism and Islamophobia. As part of the rollout at Wisconsin, the organizers will go to the school’s Hillel for Shabbat services and dinner (cleverly timing this for December, when latkes may be on the Hillel menu) to hear directly from the campus Jewish community about their concerns and traditions as step one in breaking down interfaith barriers.

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Kosher Comeback. In 1894, one of Brown’s first Jewish grads was told by the university president to change careers because of his religion. Fast forward 130 years, and now Brown boasts the highest percentage of Jewish students in the Ivy League. With nearly one-in-four undergrads identifying as Jewish, Jewish life on College Hill isn’t just visible — it’s thriving. From a newly built kosher kitchen to packed Shabbat dinners, prayer services in multiple styles and a thriving culture of Jewish learning, Brown is showing what real inclusion can look like. As Ethan Canfield writes, Brown’s Jewish community is “joyous,” “vibrant” and proof that “Jews do not have to choose between their faith and their social life.”

• Campus Community Advocacy Toolkit — From incident reporting and educational resources to letter-writing campaigns and Know Your Rights factsheets, ADL has clear steps for you to take action and effect change on college campuses.
• University Administration — Guidance and best practices for making campuses safer and more inclusive.
• Campus Antisemitism Report Card — See the grades of 135 universities, the current state of antisemitism on campus and how colleges and universities are responding.
• General Campus Resources — ADL Backgrounders, Educational Programming, Research and Analysis and more.
• Campus Antisemitism Legal Line (CALL) (CALL) — College or university students, professors, or employees who want to report campus incidents of antisemitic discrimination, intimidation, harassment, vandalism or violence that may necessitate legal action can report to CALL for legal support.
• K-12 Advocacy Resources — Tools and knowledge to foster and advocate for a safe, inclusive and equitable school environment for all.
• K-12 Advocacy Resources for Independent Schools — Additional resources for members of independent K-12 school communities.
• K-12 Antisemitism Legal Line — Parents and other interested adults in California, Massachusetts and New York can report incidents of antisemitic discrimination, intimidation, harassment, vandalism or violence occurring in K-12 schools to the K-12 Antisemitism Legal Line.
• Report an Antisemitic Incident.

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