\u201cIn line with long-standing guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, the university has now clarified that it considers the information set out in the IHRA definition and accompanying illustrative examples, to the extent it may be useful in a particular case,\u201d said Bob Hitchcock, a Chapman spokesperson.<\/p>\n
The change found favor with pro-Israel Jewish groups but also prompted concerns among some Chapman faculty members that it conflates hate with legitimate criticism of Israel.<\/p>\n
Hannah Ridge, a Chapman political science professor who teaches Middle East politics, only learned of the definition\u2019s inclusion a few weeks ago and raised issues with its potential impact on academic freedom.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we look at how this [definition] has been applied in practice, it has been treated as governing or controlling the limits of criticism of Israel,\u201d she said. \u201cThat is problematic if we\u2019re going to restrict it on college campuses.\u201d<\/p>\n
Established in 2016, IHRA defines antisemitism, in part, as \u201ca certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.\u201d <\/p>\n
Seven of the definition\u2019s 11 contemporary examples of antisemitism in public spaces, like schools, revolve around the state of Israel.<\/p>\n
How antisemitism is defined is a critical question for Chapman, which has come under increased scrutiny over the question in recent years, especially after students organized a pro-Gaza encampment in 2024.<\/p>\n
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Students for Justice in Palestine led a march around Chapman University during last years \u201cprotect DEI\u201d protest.<\/p>\n
(Gabriel San Roman)<\/p>\n
That same year, the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law filed a federal complaint<\/a> with the U.S. Department of Education on behalf of Jewish Chapman students, including Eli Schechter. <\/p>\n The complaint, which argued the university did not take adequate action against antisemitism on campus, called on Chapman to incorporate the IHRA definition. <\/p>\n It also triggered a federal investigation by the Department of Education\u2019s Office of Civil Rights that is still ongoing.<\/p>\n U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon sent Chapman a letter<\/a> last year claiming that the university could face enforcement actions if it did not move to protect Jewish students.<\/p>\n \u201cThe incorporation of the IHRA definition is an important and necessary step for Chapman to take,\u201d said Denise Katz-Prober, the Brandeis Center\u2019s director of legal initiatives who is overseeing the Chapman complaint. \u201cRules and policies, though, are only effective if they\u2019re enforced.\u201d<\/p>\n Whether the definition has been used in new complaints is unclear. Human Resource investigations are not publicly disclosed. <\/p>\n In the meantime, the policy change has already served to bolster Chapman\u2019s \u201cgrade\u201d on the Anti-Defamation League\u2019s annual Campus Antisemitism Report Card.<\/p>\n
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