I was deeply saddened to learn about the act of blatant anti-Semitism that hit one of our member campuses, George Washington University, over the weekend.
It is dismaying that anti-Semitism and other acts of overt bias and racism continue to rise. A third of Jewish college students say they have personally experienced antisemitism in the last year, according to a recent Hillel and Anti-Defamation League survey.
The over 400,000 students, faculty, and staff at our member institutions represent hundreds of nationalities and all of the major world religions. Students attend college to learn from others. Our campuses are a place where differing opinions are welcome, but where hate and acts of violence will not be tolerated.
I join our member institutions in condemning any and all acts of hatred that occur on our campuses. As the President of the Consortium, and as a GW alumnus and Visiting Senior Scholar, I support the students and faculty at George Washington University and join GW’s president in condemning all such acts of antisemitism and all forms of hatred, discrimination, and bias in our community.
Andrew L. Flagel, PhD
President and CEO
Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area