In summer and fall of 2024, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights received two complaints against ¾«¶«AV alleging violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. The complaints were filed on behalf of Jewish students who reported experiencing antisemitism on campus.
Consistent with our commitment to maintaining an inclusive educational environment and responding thoughtfully to concerns raised by members of our community, ¾«¶«AV participated in a voluntary resolution process with the Office for Civil Rights to address the complaints.
¾«¶«AV is dedicated to upholding an academic environment where ideas can be examined openly, critically, and thoughtfully. The college recognizes that vigorous discussion, debate, and peaceful protest are fundamental to a liberal arts education, and that these principles must exist alongside a learning and working environment free from unlawful discrimination and harassment.
The information on this page outlines the agreement with the Office for Civil Rights, the steps ¾«¶«AV is taking under that agreement, and the college's ongoing efforts to foster a community that supports both robust academic inquiry and the dignity and belonging of every member.
Full letter from Board of Trustees Chair Deborah Kamali ’85 and President Audrey Bilger
Related Policies/Resources
Read the Resolution Agreement
Discriminatory Harassment and Misconduct Policy
General FAQs
What led to this resolution?
In the summer and fall of 2024, the college was informed that the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) had received two complaints alleging Title VI violations at ¾«¶«AV related to the college's response to campus events during the 2023–24 academic year. The complaints were brought by two Jewish students and their legal representatives, the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law (Brandeis Center) and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).
After extensive dialogue and reflection, ¾«¶«AV’s Board of Trustees approved a voluntary resolution with the Brandeis Center and the ADL on behalf of their clients. The resolution agreement fully resolves the two complaints and reflects the college’s longstanding commitments to academic freedom and ensuring full access for every member of our community.
What was the federal government’s role?
OCR facilitated a confidential mediation process between the parties. OCR made no findings related to the complaints and ¾«¶«AV did not admit any wrongdoing. Because this matter has been resolved, OCR has closed the complaints.
Did ¾«¶«AV support Jewish and Israeli students before the agreement?
Yes. ¾«¶«AV has a longstanding commitment to never tolerate harassment or discrimination, including against its Jewish and Israeli students. Even before ¾«¶«AV became aware of the complaints, the college had undertaken several proactive steps. Many of these efforts are now formalized or extended through the agreement, including
- reaffirming that shared ancestry, ethnicity, national origin, and religion are protected categories within ¾«¶«AV’s harassment and discrimination policies;
- reaffirming that ¾«¶«AV condemns antisemitism and all other forms of discrimination and harassment based on identity;
- reaffirming guidelines related to dissent to ensure alignment with ¾«¶«AV’s educational mission;
- conducting trainings, workshops, and other programming related to antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other areas of focus for the Presidential Council on Campus Climate;
- continuing to assess the campus climate to promote inclusivity and respond to areas of concern;
- implementing college-led efforts to foster dialogue across difference and to deepen understanding of the backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences of people with ties to Israel and Palestine; and
- continued academic engagement with international educational institutions, including those in Israel and Palestine.
What changes has ¾«¶«AV agreed to?
¾«¶«AV has agreed to reaffirm its values and take steps to better address future antisemitic incidents, including
- appointing a coordinator responsible for overseeing Title VI compliance, including ensuring adequate and consistent response to complaints of discrimination or harassment related to antisemitism and/or Islamophobia grounded in shared ancestry, ethnicity, or national origin. Christy Martin, EdD, will fulfill this role;
- instituting annual Title VI training for students, faculty, and staff, parallel to existing Title IX training, with specific attention to antisemitism and Islamophobia-based discrimination;
- engaging an independent consultant to assist ¾«¶«AV with the evaluation of its response to complaints of antisemitism and discrimination against other protected identities;
- clarifying existing identification policies and guidelines for ¾«¶«AV and non-¾«¶«AV community members who visit our campus;
- consistent with OCR guidance, considering the working definition of antisemitism and its contemporary examples, as defined by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), to the extent useful as evidence of discriminatory intent when investigating or assessing complaints of antisemitic discrimination or harassment and providing a related DHM Policy Frequently Asked Questions; and
- implementing training led by subject-matter experts that is focused on recognizing and combating antisemitism and the IHRA’s working definition and its examples and Title VI obligations for members of the Bias Education & Response Team (BERT) and other responsible staff.
How does the agreement address antisemitism while protecting free speech, protest, and criticism of Israeli government policies?
The agreement strengthens the college’s ability to address antisemitism and other forms of prohibited discrimination while protecting free speech, peaceful protest, and academic inquiry. Its focus is on preventing and appropriately addressing incidents of alleged harassment and discrimination, not restricting protected expression.
When does the agreement take effect?
The agreement became effective in July 17, 2026. The agreement will remain in place for three years.
Does the agreement mean the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)’s working definition of antisemitism will become a part of the college’s anti-discrimination policies and/or practices?
Consistent with OCR guidance, ¾«¶«AV will consider the IHRA’s working definition and its examples, to the extent useful as evidence of discriminatory intent, when applying ¾«¶«AV’s Discriminatory Harassment and Misconduct policy and investigating claims involving Jewish or Israeli individuals. The agreement expressly preserves academic freedom and protected free speech.
Will all criticisms of Zionism or Israel be prohibited under the agreement?
No. The agreement does not prohibit all criticism of Zionism, Israel as a country, or Israeli government policies. Criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country or its government policies may not violate college policy. However, the agreement recognizes that for many Jewish people, Jewish self-determination (often called “Zionism”) is integral to their religious, ancestral, or ethnic Jewish identity, and the college acknowledges that discrimination or harassment of Zionists has at times throughout history been used as a pretext to discriminate or harass Jews. Under the agreement, targeting Jews or Israelis for adverse treatment under the label “Zionist” violates college policy, provided the other required elements of discrimination or harassment under ¾«¶«AV’s nondiscrimination policy are met.
Will the DHM’s shared ancestry language apply only to Jewish students?
No. The agreement addresses Jewish shared ancestry, ethnicity, religion, and Israeli national origin because those were the subjects of the OCR complaints. ¾«¶«AV’s Discriminatory Harassment and Misconduct policy applies to all protected classes and prohibits discrimination on the basis of any shared ancestry, ethnicity, or religion.
Why does antisemitism appear to receive a different level of institutional response in this agreement?
This agreement resolves complaints alleging antisemitic discrimination and harassment. The agreement states that ¾«¶«AV will continue to treat complaints involving Jewish and Israeli students with the same urgency and standards used for other protected groups.
How will ¾«¶«AV ensure that the new protections do not inadvertently create new forms of inequity or bias?
The agreement affirms ¾«¶«AV’s commitment to apply the same standards to all students, preserve academic freedom and free speech, follow applicable law, and to continue to evaluate ¾«¶«AV’s consistent enforcement and application of its policies, guidelines, and community expectations.
Does the agreement include ways to measure whether the changes improve safety and belonging for all students?
Yes. ¾«¶«AV will evaluate the responses to its 2026 Sense of Community survey and conduct similar campus climate surveys for at least the next two academic years, respond to identified climate concerns, and share the results of these surveys with the ¾«¶«AV community to the extent permitted by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
Can students still criticize Israel under the agreement and the IHRA definition of antisemitism?
Yes. The agreement does not prohibit criticism of Israel. It says ¾«¶«AV will consider the working definition of antisemitism and its examples, as defined by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), to the extent that they are useful as evidence of discriminatory intent when applying the DHM policy. The agreement also preserves academic freedom, free speech, and all other rights protected by ¾«¶«AV policy and by federal and Oregon law. The ultimate question in any case of alleged discrimination, harassment, or retaliation remains whether the conduct satisfies the elements of prohibited conduct under the DHM policy.
Accordingly, a student who criticizes Israel will not have violated ¾«¶«AV’s policy by sharing their viewpoint. Expressing an opinion, even on a sensitive or controversial topic, is not prohibited and is not a policy violation. ¾«¶«AV continues to encourage the free exchange of ideas and robust intellectual debate. There may be a policy violation if criticism of Israel (or the expression of any other viewpoint or opinion) is also part of or accompanied by conduct that otherwise qualifies as discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under the DHM policy.
Which identities are protected? Are Palestinian students and students with pro-Palestinian beliefs protected in the same manner?
¾«¶«AV’s nondiscrimination protections apply to protected characteristics recognized by ¾«¶«AV policy and applicable law, including national origin, shared ancestry, ethnicity, and religion. ¾«¶«AV will enforce its policies consistently across all protected traits and apply the same standards to all students.
The agreement does not change ¾«¶«AV’s nondiscrimination policies to apply to political beliefs or affiliations. All students, including Palestinian students, are protected from discrimination or harassment based on applicable protected characteristics, such as national origin, ethnicity, shared ancestry, or religion. Pro-Palestinian political expression will also remain protected by ¾«¶«AV’s commitments to free speech and academic freedom, subject to the same generally applicable conduct rules that govern everyone.
This agreement should not be interpreted to mean that public support for Israel is permitted while public support for Palestinians is prohibited. The college does not regulate viewpoints or opinions, and the agreement does not change our longstanding commitments to free speech and free academic inquiry.
Will ¾«¶«AV provide educational materials and learning opportunities about Palestine and Palestinian history?
Yes. ¾«¶«AV will support informed and inclusive education by providing academically grounded resources regarding Palestinian history, identity, displacement, and political thought, as well as a range of scholarly and legal perspectives on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Will ¾«¶«AV administrators meet with students and explain how the agreement will be interpreted?
¾«¶«AV will host conversations with student leaders in which students can ask how the agreement will be implemented, how the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) examples will be used, what conduct remains protected, how complaints will be evaluated, and how ¾«¶«AV will ensure consistent treatment across protected groups.
How will ¾«¶«AV ensure that anti-Zionist Jews remain included in Jewish student life and programming?
No Jewish student should be presumed to hold a particular position on Israel or Zionism, and no student should be excluded from Jewish community programming merely because they criticize Zionism or identify as anti-Zionist.
¾«¶«AV remains committed to inclusion, free speech, academic freedom, and equal access to college services and educational opportunities. No part of the college community may be harassed, marginalized, excluded, or demonized on the basis of identity.
Jewish students hold diverse religious, cultural, historical, and political views. Jewish programming will not condition participation, belonging, leadership, or recognition on support for Zionism or for the policies of the Israeli government.
How will ¾«¶«AV distinguish between political criticism of Israel and discrimination against Jewish or Israeli students?
When the college receives a complaint of discriminatory misconduct, the relevant question is whether the elements of discrimination or harassment under the DHM policy have been met, including whether the misconduct targeted a person or group because of their protected characteristic(s). ¾«¶«AV does not prohibit or punish protected speech, including criticism of Israel. As noted above, criticism of Israel only constitutes misconduct if it is part of a course of conduct that otherwise meets the definition of discrimination or harassment under the DHM policy. This is also true for any other form of political speech or criticism—it may cross the line into misconduct if the required elements of discrimination or harassment are otherwise met.
Could the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition be used to investigate or discourage protected political speech?
¾«¶«AV remains committed to free speech, and the agreement expressly preserves the college’s rights to free speech and academic freedom. The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition is one of many investigative tools that will help ensure that the ¾«¶«AV community is a safe place for all students. The point of the agreement is not to chill political speech but rather to prevent discrimination and harassment.
Will ¾«¶«AV face pressure to pursue antisemitism complaints more aggressively because of federal scrutiny?
No. This agreement stresses our ongoing commitment to addressing antisemitism, but does not diminish our commitment to addressing and preventing other forms of discrimination as well. ¾«¶«AV will apply its policies equally across all protected characteristics and apply the same standards to Jewish and Israeli students as to every other protected group.
Does this agreement give Jewish or Israeli students protections that other protected groups do not receive?
No. The purpose of the agreement is to ensure that complaints involving Jewish and Israeli students receive the same treatment and urgency as complaints involving other protected groups—not preferential treatment.
How will ¾«¶«AV ensure equal treatment of complaints involving Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims, or other protected groups?
¾«¶«AV’s policies, including the DHM policy, apply to all students and protected groups equally. The Title VI Coordinator will oversee complaints involving all protected traits and enforce ¾«¶«AV's policies equally. As described above, the agreement does not provide for preferential treatment for Jewish and Israeli students but rather ensures that all students receive fair and equal treatment when there are complaints of discrimination or harassment. Neither ¾«¶«AV policy nor the agreement create different or preferential standards for any group.
How will ¾«¶«AV address concerns about implementation and reassure the community that rights will be protected?
¾«¶«AV will continue to publish public FAQs explaining how the DHM policy will be applied and will publish annual reports reviewing our antidiscrimination efforts. ¾«¶«AV has also appointed a Title VI Coordinator.
¾«¶«AV will also host processing spaces with stakeholder groups, continue to engage in educational dialogue sessions hosted by trusted external facilitators, and host intergroup dialogue sessions facilitated by trained ¾«¶«AV community members. ¾«¶«AV’s goal is to continue to build our community’s capacity to connect across difference.
In the Classroom  
Does the agreement restrict teaching or research?
No. The agreement does not restrict teaching, research, academic inquiry, or criticism of political ideas. It reaffirms that ¾«¶«AV faculty and teaching staff should be neutral and unbiased, and that attendance and participation rules should be applied equally.
Does it impact academic freedom?
The agreement repeatedly acknowledges that its commitments do not diminish or infringe ¾«¶«AV’s commitment to academic freedom or protected speech.
Title VI Training 
When will Title VI training begin?
Annual Title VI training, including antisemitism-related programming, begins in the 2026–27 academic year.
Who must take training?
Incoming students, student orientation leaders, student organization and club signators, residence life house advisors, Judicial Board members, faculty and teaching staff, Senior Staff, the Title VI Coordinator, BERT staff, and others designated responsible for investigating or addressing Title VI complaints will receive training.
What will training cover?
Training will cover ¾«¶«AV’s discrimination and harassment policies, reporting procedures, response steps, examples of prohibited antisemitic discrimination and harassment, and the IHRA working definition and its examples.
Other Questions 
Has ¾«¶«AV appointed a Title VI coordinator?
¾«¶«AV has appointed Christy Martin, EdD, to serve as the Title VI Coordinator, who is responsible for overseeing and ensuring complaints about antisemitism and other forms of discrimination and harassment are properly addressed.
Does ¾«¶«AV have a face-covering or mask policy?
The agreement reaffirms ¾«¶«AV’s campus guidelines that anyone wearing a mask on campus must identify themselves by presenting ¾«¶«AV ID upon request by a member of the college community. Students or student groups who refuse may face sanctions.
Will the dissent guidelines be updated?
¾«¶«AV will continue to place reasonable limitations on demonstrations and protests to protect the rights of all to teach, study, and freely exchange ideas. ¾«¶«AV will provide clarity to dissent guidelines to be fully understood by the ¾«¶«AV community.
When will BERT and civil rights staff receive specialized training?
Within the next two academic years, if they have not already received specialized training, the Title VI Coordinator, Senior Staff, current Bias Education & Response Team staff, and other designated staff who are responsible for investigating or addressing Title VI complaints will receive training focused on recognizing and combating antisemitism and the IHRA’s working definition and its examples.
When does the college expect to offer additional resources dedicated to Jewish life?
¾«¶«AV will continue to maintain resources and programming in the Office for Institutional Diversity and the Office of Student Life about Jewish identity and will add to these resources and programming beginning in the 2026–27 academic year. ¾«¶«AV will continue to consult with campus and local Jewish organizations, as well as the Brandeis Center and the ADL, in selecting these resources.
Why does the agreement require masked individuals to identify themselves?
The agreement does not create a new masking expectation. ¾«¶«AV’s approach to masking remains the same. That is, all individuals on campus, including individuals wearing masks, must present identification upon request by any member of the college community. Refusing to identify oneself may result in disciplinary consequences or exclusion from campus. Masks may not be used to conceal one's identity while violating college policy or the law.
This expectation has been in practice for the past several years, with Community Safety Officers asking anyone wearing a mask to identify themselves. Anyone who refuses to do so is asked to leave campus. This practice is intended to ensure safety and prevent disruption from unknown individuals, while preserving free speech and academic freedom.