Princeton Responds To Rep. Mikie Sherrill’s Query On Combating Antisemitism On Campus

PRINCETON, NJ – After the Oct. 7 Hamas attack in Israel, Princeton University like other institutions of higher learning held some pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrations, forums and vigils.

On Dec. 11, Rep. Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) wrote a letter to colleges and universities in New Jersey, including Princeton, seeking answers and concrete plans to address the “concerning rise in antisemitism on college campuses.”

The letter came after the U.S. House of Representatives held hearings earlier this month which led to criticism of the University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill, Harvard President Claudine Gay and MIT President Sally Kornbluth, with Magill resigning later.

“I share university leaders’ deep commitment to the freedoms of speech and assembly for their students, and I understand that there are multiple factors that inform university policies regarding speech and expression on campus. However, on this issue, there is very little ambiguity: Antisemitism is hatred, without exception; threats of genocide against Jews are violent, no matter the context; and it was disturbing to see these leaders equivocate on their responses,” Sherrill wrote in her letter.

Sherrill said colleges should be a place of fierce and spirited exchanges of ideas but must not be a place where students are afraid to be themselves for fear of harassment, where they are targeted for their ethnicity, gender, or religion.

“So I ask you: What is your institution doing to ensure your students are free from harassment and bullying on campus? How do you ensure hate speech does not dissuade free speech in your public squares? And how do you ensure a free exchange of ideas without sowing division?” Sherrill wrote.

On Dec. 13, Princeton president Christopher Eisgruber responded to Sherrill’s letter highlighting what the University does to protect students and foster a culture of mutual respect and “free inquiry.”

“Our approach has three elements. First, we have clearly specified procedures by which students may file a harassment complaint, and we take every complaint seriously. Second, we provide advisers and resources that can supplement, or serve as an alternative to, the formal complaint process depending on the nature of the incident or a student’s preferences,” Eisgruber said.

“Third, and perhaps most importantly, Princeton works continuously to promote a culture that encourages mutual respect and free inquiry. These efforts begin from the moment students arrive on campus.”

Eisgruber cited examples of the University’s various efforts to combat and respond to harassment while protecting speech.

“Of course, like anyone who is fully committed to First Amendment principles, I must sometimes protect speech that I find repugnant, hateful, or awful. When Princeton cannot—and should not—suppress or discipline immoral speech because it is protected under our policies and the First Amendment, the University can still respond in many ways,” Eisgruber said.

“We can sponsor better speech, we can state our values, and we can support our students. We will do all these things, and we will do them in a way that is even-handed and fair to all identities and viewpoints, but we will not stoop to censorship.”

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