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Purpose
This guide helps you prepare and submit a clear report of antisemitism to your university. You do not need all details to report - share what you know now and add more later.
Reminder: You do not need to determine whether an incident was antisemitic or otherwise discriminatory in order to report it. If something felt harmful, targeted, or affected your ability to learn, work, or participate in university life, you can and should report it. The university is responsible for assessing the conduct and determining whether it violates policy or the law or creates a hostile environment.
When reporting an incident to your university, you can also report directly to ADL to receive additional support and guidance.
- Report an Antisemitic, Bias or Discriminatory Incident to ADL
- File a report through the ADL Legal Action Network if you require free legal guidance on the incident you have experienced
Where to Report
Submit your report through your university’s designated reporting system or official reporting channel. If you are unable to locate it, contact the office responsible for handling discrimination or harassment concerns, such as:
- Equal Opportunity or Institutional Equity
- Civil Rights, Title VI, Title IX, or Title VII offices
- Student Conduct or the Dean of Students
- Human Resources
- Campus Safety or Police
If you are unsure where to go, search your university’s website or ask a staff or faculty member to help identify the appropriate reporting route.
Before You Report: Save Evidence
Keep copies of anything related to the incident:
- Emails, texts, screenshots, posts
- Photos, videos, recordings
- Flyers, graffiti, written materials
- Names/contact information of witnesses
- Notes about what happened, including date and time
Do not delete anything. Keep a copy of your report after submitting and notes of all conversations with university staff regarding your report.
What to Include in Your Report
Note: If you are reporting multiple incidents, include specific details for each instance.
- Include your name, contact information, and your role at the university.
- If relevant, you may state that you are Jewish, Israeli, or were perceived as such.
Be specific and clear.
- Who: People involved and any witnesses
- Where: Exact location or online platform
- Clarify how the location is connected to the university - for example, whether the incident was directly on campus; occurred off campus but involved members of the university community; or took place in a setting that was visible from or closely linked to campus.
- When: Date/time (or best estimate)
- What: Exactly what was said or done
If possible, include direct quotes and explain why the conduct was antisemitic/discriminatory and how it impacted you (e.g., have you missed class, stopped participating in an activity, sought mental health support, had physical manifestations of stress or anxiety). Do not assume the university will recognize antisemitic tropes - spell it out.
More on types of antisemitic tropes and behaviors can be found here:
- Attach or describe any evidence (screenshots, messages, videos, etc.).
- If others may have evidence, say who and what they may have.
You may note:
- You understand some speech may be protected
- But it affected your ability to learn, work, or participate
- For faculty speech, you can acknowledge academic freedom while stating the conduct may not meet professional standards or how it impacted you.
Explain how the incident affected you, e.g.,
- Feeling unsafe, targeted, or unable to concentrate
- Avoiding classes, spaces, activities, or work
- Disruption to your education or job (i.e., missed classes or shifts)
- Experiencing mental or physical health effects, etc.
Be concrete where possible.
What You Can Ask the University to Do
You may request:
- A meeting
- An investigation
- Written explanation of process and timeline
- Preservation of evidence
- Steps to stop and prevent recurrence
- Protection from retaliation
You may also request support such as schedule changes, housing adjustments, extensions, no contact orders, or counselling.
After You Report
- Ask for a meeting
- Request updates
- Keep notes of all interactions
- Save all communications
Institutional Response (What Should Happen)
Universities should:
- Acknowledge your report and explain next steps
- Assess safety concerns
- Offer support measures
- Preserve evidence
- Record and maintain the report
- Analyze whether a Clery notice about this event is appropriate1
- Analyze whether an investigation is needed
- Issue a written response where appropriate
- Take steps to stop, prevent, and address the conduct
- Protect against retaliation
Note that universities may not be able to provide complete information regarding disciplinary processes or outcomes due to applicable privacy, confidentiality, and records policies, including obligations under federal and state law.
Example of a Report
Below is an example of an incident report:
Subject: Report of Antisemitic Incident
My name is [Name], and I am a [student/staff/faculty member] at the university. I am writing to report an incident that I believe involved antisemitic [or otherwise discriminatory] conduct and has affected my ability to participate in the university environment.
The incident occurred on or around [date] at [location, e.g., a classroom, residence hall, or online platform]. It involved [name(s) and role(s), if known]. There were also individuals present who may have witnessed what happened, including [names or descriptions].
During the incident, [describe clearly what happened, including specific statements or actions]. For example, [include direct quotes if possible]. I believe this conduct was antisemitic [or otherwise discriminatory] because [explain clearly, including any stereotypes, language, or targeting involved].
As a result of this incident, I have felt [describe impact if applicable - e.g., unsafe, targeted, unable to concentrate, etc.]. It has affected me in the following ways: [describe concrete impacts if applicable – e.g., avoiding class, difficulty working, feeling unsafe on campus, etc.].
I have preserved evidence related to this incident, including [describe attachments or materials]. Additional evidence may be available from [name(s)], who may have [describe what they have].
I am requesting that the university investigate this matter, preserve relevant evidence, and inform me of the process and next steps. I would also like to meet to discuss the incident and understand what supportive measures are available.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. Please confirm receipt of this report.
Retaliation
Retaliation for reporting an incident, complaining generally about antisemitism on campus, or participating as a witness in a discrimination or harassment investigation is prohibited.
Report if you experience any of the following after you make a report or complaint of discrimination or harassment:
- Intimidation
- Punishment
- Exclusion
- Different treatment
- Negative academic or job consequences