Vassar College has the Vassar Jewish Union (VJU/Hillel) and a Chabad, as well as a Jews of Color Caucus and a new Vassar Against Antisemitism campus group.

What’s Happening on Campus?

In November 2023, antisemitic rhetoric surfaced on a campus-associated social media forum, featuring posts with derogatory comments about Zionists. In April 2024, a divestment bill proposed by Vassar's Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter failed to reach the Vassar Student Association (VSA) Senate floor due to bylaw concerns prohibiting discrimination based on religious, political, or ideological views.

In May 2024, an anti-Israel encampment was established on campus.

In November 2024, a newly formed student group, Vassar Against Antisemitism, was denied official status by the student government without explanation, a decision allegedly discussed in private, separate from other group considerations. The issue was thereafter resolved promptly – within 24 hours – and the group has now received official recognition.

In December 2024, graffiti was found on a building at Vassar College that read "Intifada.” The vandalism also included inverted red triangles, a symbol that first appeared in Hamas propaganda videos.

University Policies and Responsive Action

In October 2023, following an unregistered anti-Israel protest on campus, the College released a statement condemning the antisemitic incidents that had occurred at the rally.

In May 2024, the College condemned campus graffiti, stating firm opposition to “antisemitism, Islamophobia, and discrimination of all kinds.” That same month, the on-campus anti-Israel encampment was dismantled after the University negotiated with the protestors, agreeing – among other items – to prioritize the review of a proposed divestment plan from defense-related investments.

The College has published a webpage offering definitions of both antisemitism and Islamophobia. In addition, in advance of the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attacks on Israel, the College released a statement providing support and resources to impacted members of the campus community.

The College has established a Campus Climate Team, which meets weekly to discuss campus climate issues, ensure timely and appropriate institutional responses, and communicate any relevant information to the campus community. This group dedicates a significant portion of time to addressing issues of antisemitism on campus. In addition to this team, the College has a Social Identity Harm network, which investigates incidents of bias and provides support to students affected by discriminatory incidents.

The College has also included specific examples of antisemitism in the new Title VI training, and has offered additional stand-alone training from external organizations to faculty, student-facing administrators, and the senior leadership team, leading to nearly every student-facing administrator now being educated about Jewish identity and antisemitism.

As a result of the administration’s efforts following the October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel, over 25 Jewish students wrote and signed a letter personally thanking Associate Dean Inoa for supporting them and creating a welcoming and respectful learning environment. Further, in light of his work to address campus antisemitism, Inoa was awarded the Shine A Light on Antisemitism Civic Courage Award.