Chicago, IL, May 19, 2008 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas (JCRC) are working to resolve the recent spate of anti-Semitic incidents at the University of North Dakota (UND).

ADL and JCRC are committed to changing UND's current climate in order to provide students with a safe learning space where anti-Semitism is rejected and diversity is both celebrated and embraced. 

The two organizations have been working with Jewish students and UND's senior administration to assess the current practices of how bias incidents and hate crimes are reported, documented, investigated and prosecuted. 

ADL and JCRC have been communicating with UND President Dr. Kupchella, and with the Jewish Student Organization, as to how to appropriately address these troubling incidents.

"We are deeply committed to strengthening student morale on campus in addition to ensuring that the University takes all necessary measures to appropriately document and prosecute criminal perpetrators of hate, " said Lonnie Nasatir, Director of ADL's Chicago/Upper Midwest regional office.

"These anti-Semitic acts committed against students at UND challenge the openness and respectful atmosphere of a college campus.  Collectively, we reject these chilling actions and the hate, anti-Semitism, and racism they represent. We will continue to work with students, faculty, and administrators to address these incidents," added Steve Hunegs, Executive Director of the JCRC of Minnesota and the Dakotas.   

In order to help UND appropriately address these issues, ADL and JCRC have committed to providing their expertise in training faculty, staff, law enforcement and students as a means to help create an atmosphere that rejects bigotry, responds to anti-Semitic incidents appropriately, and creates an atmosphere of acceptance and inclusivity.