Rice University is served by the Houston Hillel and a Chabad.

What’s Happening on Campus?

Early in the Fall semester of 2023, the Rice PRIDE student organization cut ties with Hillel because of Hillel International’s “Standards of Partnership,” which says Hillel will not allow speakers who support BDS. Since October 7, 2023, the climate on campus has been challenging, with regular anti-Israel rallies taking place.

In December 2023, a professor who had published an op-ed about antisemitism in a local newspaper received a note that read: "Most Jews are obnoxious [and] greedy" and "Jews bring on most of their problems."

In February 2024, at an anti-Israel protest organized by Students for Justice in Palestine, Party for Socialism and Liberation and Democratic Socialists of America at Rice University, protesters chanted, "Globalize the Intifada.” Protestors also held signs with messages that included "By any means necessary" and "Resistance against occupation is a human right,” slogans commonly used to support Hamas’s antisemitic October 7, 2023, terrorist attack.

In April 2024, at an anti-Israel encampment organized by groups such as Students for Justice in Palestine and Palestinian Youth Movement at Rice University, protesters displayed signs with messages that included: “We must divest from Zionism,” “Zionists stay mad” and “Ugly Zionist says what?”

In December 2024, an individual displayed patches with a Star of David and a swastika, both crossed out.

University Policies and Responsive Action

Rice has launched an informal task force, which includes the Hillel director, along with several students and administrators. The group began meeting weekly to keep the University informed of the climate on campus for Jewish students. The University has also convened a faculty advisory group composed of scholars on antisemitism, Judaism and the history of the Middle East.

Additionally, Houston Hillel is providing training for the Rice Wellness and Counseling Center staff, along with a diversity, equity and inclusion session for Student Affairs staff to better equip the University to serve Jewish students.

In December 2023, President DesRoches issued a statement making clear that calls for violence or genocide against Jewish students or any other group of persons would violate Rice’s policies.

In May 2024, the University expressed a commitment to improving the campus climate for Jewish students by raising awareness of Judaism and antisemitism and promoting religious diversity within educational efforts, among other items.

In advance of the 2024-25 academic year, Rice made changes to protest and demonstration policies, including outlining time, place and manner restrictions, to ensure the University can be more proactive and responsive to conduct that violates school policies. New roles were also assigned to current facility employees to monitor and report any posters that do not comply with campus policies.

Additionally, the University added new content to the diversity presentation during orientation week related to religious diversity, antisemitism, and Islamophobia. Rice also hosted a workshop for student-facing staff on Jewish inclusion and effective responses to antisemitism. 

Rice University is served by the Houston Hillel and a Chabad.

What’s Happening on Campus?

Early in the Fall semester of 2023, the Rice PRIDE student organization cut ties with Hillel because of Hillel International’s “Standards of Partnership,” which says Hillel will not allow speakers who support BDS. Since October 7, 2023, the climate on campus has been challenging, with regular anti-Israel rallies taking place.

In December 2023, a professor who had published an op-ed about antisemitism in a local newspaper received a note that read: "Most Jews are obnoxious [and] greedy" and "Jews bring on most of their problems."

In February 2024, at an anti-Israel protest organized by Students for Justice in Palestine, Party for Socialism and Liberation and Democratic Socialists of America at Rice University, protesters chanted, "Globalize the Intifada.” Protestors also held signs with messages that included "By any means necessary" and "Resistance against occupation is a human right,” slogans commonly used to support Hamas’s antisemitic October 7, 2023, terrorist attack.

In April 2024, at an anti-Israel encampment organized by groups such as Students for Justice in Palestine and Palestinian Youth Movement at Rice University, protesters displayed signs with messages that included: “We must divest from Zionism,” “Zionists stay mad” and “Ugly Zionist says what?”

In December 2024, an individual displayed patches with a Star of David and a swastika, both crossed out.

University Policies and Responsive Action

Rice has launched an informal task force, which includes the Hillel director, along with several students and administrators. The group began meeting weekly to keep the University informed of the climate on campus for Jewish students. The University has also convened a faculty advisory group composed of scholars on antisemitism, Judaism and the history of the Middle East.

Additionally, Houston Hillel is providing training for the Rice Wellness and Counseling Center staff, along with a diversity, equity and inclusion session for Student Affairs staff to better equip the University to serve Jewish students.

In December 2023, President DesRoches issued a statement making clear that calls for violence or genocide against Jewish students or any other group of persons would violate Rice’s policies.

In May 2024, the University expressed a commitment to improving the campus climate for Jewish students by raising awareness of Judaism and antisemitism and promoting religious diversity within educational efforts, among other items.

In advance of the 2024-25 academic year, Rice made changes to protest and demonstration policies, including outlining time, place and manner restrictions, to ensure the University can be more proactive and responsive to conduct that violates school policies. New roles were also assigned to current facility employees to monitor and report any posters that do not comply with campus policies.

Additionally, the University added new content to the diversity presentation during orientation week related to religious diversity, antisemitism, and Islamophobia. Rice also hosted a workshop for student-facing staff on Jewish inclusion and effective responses to antisemitism.