Unis are getting an antisemitism report card. They’re thinking about it

Universities that fail to end their “tolerance for antisemitic conduct” on campus face being stripped of funding under a plan to end entrenched hostility, harassment and intimidation towards Jewish students and staff.

In a wide-ranging report, Australia’s special envoy to combat antisemitism, Jillian Segal, detailed the surge of vandalism, threats and assaults that Jewish Australians have faced since the October 7, 2023 Hamas terror attack in Israel, noting antisemitism was now “ingrained and normalised” within academia.

Special envoy to combat antisemitism Jillian Segal’s report said antisemitism in academia had become ingrained.Credit: Dylan Coker

Under the plan, every university in Australia would be issued a report card by the envoy, which will grade the ability of Jewish students to participate actively and equally in campus life.

“Importantly, universities must embrace cultural change to end their tolerance for antisemitic conduct,” the report said.

After the report’s release, universities stopped short of endorsing the plan but said they would consider its recommendations and awaited the federal government’s response.

The plan stipulates taxpayer funding to be withheld from universities, programs or people within institutions that facilitate, enable or fail to act against antisemitism, while academics who engage in antisemitism would be subject to job termination.

The University of Sydney was host to a pro-Palestinian encampment for two months in 2024.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

Additionally, a report card for each university would track their policies and complaints-handling systems, and whether the campus environment was conducive to Jewish students taking active and equal part in university life.

Other measures to combat antisemitism include a commission of inquiry, encompassing sources of funding for organised clusters of antisemitism and whether systemic problems remain in 2026. The report also says the envoy will work with the national university regulator to ensure action is taken to stamp out antisemitism.

Universities Australia chief executive Luke Sheehy welcomed the plan’s publication and said he was awaiting details of the government’s response.

“This is a significant body of work, and we’ll work closely with our members as we consider the recommendations …We look forward to further detail on the government’s response,” Sheehy said.

Earlier this year, a preliminary SafeWork NSW investigation revealed Jewish students at Sydney University had to contend with activists who entered lecture halls chanting antisemitic slogans. Others carried banners saying “Jews not allowed”. Sydney University denies the claim that this occurred.

That investigation found that while the university had the authority, policies and procedures in place to eliminate antisemitism, it had failed to act and had only done so when the safety watchdog began investigating.

Australasian Union of Jewish Students advocacy co-ordinator Liat Granot said the Segal report was a crucial first step to address antisemitism.

“We welcome any measures which protect the physical and cultural safety of Jewish students and the balance between academic freedom and freedom of expression,” she said.

Numerous university heads approached by this masthead on Thursday said they welcomed the report’s release and would consider its contents but stopped short of endorsing its recommendations.

Sydney University senior deputy vice chancellor Professor Annamarie Jagose said: “We acknowledge the report and will carefully review and consider it to identify any areas where we can take further steps.

“We have been working closely with special envoy Jillian Segal and organisations across the community to combat the rise of antisemitism.

“We’ve already introduced significant reforms following the independent report we commissioned from Senior Counsel Bruce Hodgkinson, AM, after the disbandment of the protest encampment on campus more than 12 months ago.”

A Macquarie University spokesman said: “Macquarie University welcomes all measures to combat racism and discrimination in Australian society, including the special envoy’s plan to combat antisemitism.”

An Australian National University spokesman said it had improved its policies and there were regular meetings between management and Jewish student representatives to ensure ongoing dialogue.

“We are including resources on antisemitism, racism and other forms of discrimination in our compulsory professional development modules which are rolling out across campus.”

University of Melbourne vice chancellor Professor Emma Johnston said: “We recognise Jewish members of our community experience particular forms of prejudice or hate which constrain their freedom to live, work, study, worship and identify as Jewish in Australian society.”

A Monash University spokesperson said they would review Segal’s report in line with the many initiatives the university had undertaken to respond to rising antisemitism, noting senior management had met Jewish students over the past two years.

“Our engagement with Monash’s Jewish community will continue as we seek to address the harm caused by antisemitism,” a spokesperson said.

The Group of Eight, which represents Australia’s sandstone universities, said they were “determined to take all necessary actions to both respond to and prevent antisemitism on campus”.

Chief executive Vicki Thomson said: “Our universities must be places where people can agree or disagree well, where everyone feels safe and welcome, while remaining places where the freedom of speech and academic freedom are realised. But we cannot and must not tolerate antisemitic behaviour.”

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