Combating Harassment
Dear students, faculty and staff,
Over these past several weeks, I have engaged with members of our University of Minnesota community, many of whom openly expressed their hopes, but also concerns and frustrations on a wide range of issues—including ways to create a more welcoming environment.
You made it abundantly clear that you want more than words from University leadership. You want decisive action—especially when it comes to how the University will address and prevent bias and intimidation against members of our community.
We hear you. We agree. Harassment on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity and sexual orientation, disability or citizenship status will not be tolerated on our campuses.
Today, I want to outline specific steps the University of Minnesota is taking to reject any and all forms of hatred directed toward members of our Jewish communities, regardless of their political beliefs. To advance this priority, the University will implement the following initiatives:
- a mandatory module on antisemitism for all instructors as part of the University’s inclusive teaching and prevention training
- inclusion of specific antisemitism questions in the 2026 Campus Climate Survey (in addition to questions about the experiences of all students, faculty and staff)
- and the creation of a dedicated Jewish Alumni Network
Similar efforts are also underway to address bias and hate targeting any group based on shared ancestry, ethnicity or protected identities. This includes a mandatory module on Islamophobia.
Combating antisemitism—as with any form of hate—requires sustained commitment, evaluation and growth, and it demands meaningful collaboration. In recent weeks, my leadership team and I gained invaluable insights from our partners at Minnesota Hillel, the Hillel International Campus Climate Initiative and Chabad. We connected with members of our local Jewish communities to learn more about their perspectives and experiences.
We are also meeting with students and faculty across a spectrum of ideologies. We understand there are many views across our community, but we can all agree there is no place for antisemitism, Islamophobia and other forms of hatred on our campuses. My leadership team and I are committed to cultivating relationships with a vibrant and pluralistic community.
More information about some of the ways the University is supporting the safety and wellbeing of Jewish students and scholars is available. Importantly, leadership is developing additional webpages—one focused on combating Islamophobia and another addressing discrimination and discriminatory harassment that may affect members of our community. Information about these new webpages will be shared broadly once they are complete.
I would also encourage you to visit our Office of Student Affairs’ website to review the University’s Guiding Principles of the Student Conduct Code.
From the moment I arrived at the University of Minnesota last spring, my top priority has been to build a community where all students, faculty and staff can feel safe and thrive.
There is much more work ahead, but please know that our entire leadership team remains committed to deep listening, honest reflection and—most importantly—taking action.
Rebecca Cunningham
President