Know Your Rights: A Guide for Jewish College Students

Your specific legal protections and procedures will depend on factors such as what happened, where your school is located, and whether your school is public or private. Rights and available options vary based on federal, state, and local laws, as well as institutional policies. Below is a general overview of common protections.

• You have the right to safety.

• You have the right to be free from threats, intimidation, assault, and vandalism.

• You have the right to express your views.

  • Within the rules that generally guide speech and conduct on your campus, you can advocate for Jewish causes, Israel, Zionism, or any other viewpoint, organize events, host speakers, attend demonstrations, and participate in public debate. Speak up! Using your voice is the fastest, most accessible, and most powerful tool you have to impact campus discourse in a positive way.

• You have the right to organize and participate in student life.

  • Jewish student groups are entitled to the same access to facilities, funding, recognition, and opportunities available to other student organizations. Jewish students cannot be blocked from accessing any part of campus or any school activity that is available to other students.

• You have the right to be free from discrimination and harassment.

  • Many federal, state, and local laws, as well as campus policies, prohibit discrimination based on race, religion, color, and national origin. Any college that receives federal funding is subject to a federal law called Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which has been interpreted to protect students from discrimination based on shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics, including antisemitic discrimination directed at Jewish students. Colleges subject to Title VI must address discrimination (i.e., treating Jewish students worse than others) and harassment that interferes with students’ ability to participate in educational programs and activities.

• Your college must respond promptly to reports of discrimination, harassment, threats, or vandalism.
• Your college must treat Jewish students and student organizations fairly and consistently.
• Your college must investigate complaints and address conduct that creates a hostile environment for Jewish students or treats them worse than other groups.  
• Your college must protect students’ ability to host events and speakers without disruption.
• Your college must provide accommodations and access to space and resources on the same basis offered to other religious or ethnic groups.

If an issue arises, here’s what to do:  

• Document It

  • Save any relevant evidence, such as screenshots, emails, messages, flyers, photos, and/or social media posts
  • Write down dates, times, locations, and witnesses

• Report It

  • Share your concerns, what you witnessed, or what you experienced in writing directly with the person who has the power to correct the situation in the relevant department, such as the civil rights/Title VI office, dean of students, or student affairs.
    • The right contact person will vary by situation and campus. Check your school website for the right contact or the place to formally submit a report by searching, “How to submit a report of antisemitic discrimination [or other concern] at [school name].”
    • If you have an immediate safety issue, call Campus Security first, and then file a complaint with other school offices as appropriate.
    • If the school’s response is inadequate, you can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights or other relevant government agencies. Here is how.
    • Keep copies of all correspondence.

• Seek Support

  • If you need help deciding what to do:

    • Reach out to Hillel, Chabad, trusted faculty, or administrators.
    • Contact AJC’s Campus Affairs team at [email protected].
    • Speak with an attorney.

Not every offensive statement violates the law. Colleges typically cannot punish speech simply because it is hateful or offensive. Rather, schools must act to address a hostile environment created by speech or conduct which, based on the overall circumstances, is subjectively and objectively offensive and so severe or pervasive that it limits or denies a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from a school’s education.

Remember: You have the right to bring your full Jewish identity to campus life. You can do that best by understanding and following your campus rules and advocating for yourself and your community in a positive, respectful way. Knowing your rights—and how to exercise them—can help ensure that campus remains a place where all students can learn, participate, and thrive.

AJC’s Center for Education Advocacy works with institutions of higher education to foster a deeper understanding of the Jewish people, address antisemitism and all forms of hate, and promote intellectual engagement that strengthens civic society and democracy for the long term.  We are here to support your efforts to ensure that every student learns in a respectful and informed environment. For guidance, resources, or consultation, please visit AJC.org/Campus or email at us at [email protected].