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Students tell trustees they face antisemitism on campus and ask for stronger administrative action
Summary
Multiple public commenters told the board of trustees that Jewish students have experienced harassment and that campus processes failed to enforce rules; students urged the board to recommit to a signed agreement with the Jewish community and to protect students' safety and rights under Title VI.
At the public-comment period of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees meeting, several students and community members urged the board to address antisemitism on campus and to enforce campus procedures they said had been ignored.
Sharon Ormsby Shelley asked the board to honor Clarence Shelley’s legacy and to complete a tangible commemoration. Student Natan Maladek said a recent anti‑Israel referendum and campaign activity led Jewish students to face harassment and discrimination; he described a dismissive administrative response and urged trustees to address what he called a "culture of antisemitism" in the student affairs office. Maladek said he emailed Vice Chancellor Danita Brown Young and received a reply he characterized as insufficient.
Student Mark Ruse recounted incidents that had left Jewish students feeling unsafe and asked the board to recommit to an agreement with the Jewish community and to Title VI protections. Chair Ruiz responded that the matter had been brought to the board’s attention previously and is being reviewed. No formal board action was recorded during the meeting; trustees and staff said the concerns would be taken up through the appropriate administrative channels for review.
