Harvard University's official announcements or website.

Harvard Settles Title VI Antisemitism Lawsuits, Adopts IHRA Definition and Partners with Israeli University

Jan 21, 2025, 03:16 PM

Harvard University has settled two Title VI lawsuits accusing the institution of mishandling antisemitism on campus. The settlements, reached the day after President Donald Trump took office, involve undisclosed amounts and include Harvard's commitment to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. This definition, which has sparked controversy for classifying certain criticisms of Israel as antisemitic, will be accompanied by its examples, potentially affecting pro-Palestine student activities. Harvard also agreed to clarify that its non-discrimination policies protect Jewish and Israeli students, establish a partnership with a university in Israel, and appoint a supervisor for antisemitism complaints within its Office for Community Conduct. The university will also compile annual reports on Title VI complaints for the next five years. The lawsuits were filed by Students Against Antisemitism and the Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law along with Jewish Americans for Fairness in Education, alleging negligence and deliberate inaction by Harvard in addressing antisemitism.