Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students,
I look forward to representing DePaul and our community and am proud of the work we have done on this critical issue. It is important to acknowledge the weight of this moment and to reaffirm that we recognize there are areas where we must—and will—do better for our Jewish community members.
First and foremost, the safety and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff is our highest priority. The committee has invited me to speak about our efforts to combat antisemitism at DePaul, and you will hear in my testimony that our guiding principles leave no ambiguity. Antisemitism and acts of violence will never be tolerated at DePaul.
Antisemitism is not only a threat to Jewish students, faculty, and staff—it is a threat to the very fabric of our American society. I am deeply sorry that this hate has found its way into our community. We must be deeply committed to actions that will eradicate it, and we are actively assessing and implementing measures to support our Jewish community members. Every student—without exception—deserves to feel safe here.
I was appalled when two of our students were attacked in November for visibly expressing their support for Israel. That hate crime was a direct violation of DePaul’s core values. I have condemned—and continue to condemn—this antisemitic targeting. As I’ve previously stated, for many Jewish students, Israel is a core part of their Jewish identity. Those students—and every student—must be able to live, learn, and belong at DePaul without fear.
We are at a critical inflection point. Trust in higher education is being tested, and institutions like ours must confront the ways in which we have fallen short—and commit to the hard, necessary work of change. At its core, the purpose of higher education is to prepare students to become thoughtful, engaged members of society who are ready to address the most pressing questions of our time. When students are denied the ability to learn in a safe environment, that promise is broken—and we have not lived up to our full potential as educators and leaders. To that end, DePaul has:
- Bolstered campus security and reaffirmed our zero-tolerance policy for hatred and violence.
- Enforced time, place, and manner restrictions on protests.
- Held individuals and student organizations accountable for policy violations.
- Enacted an identity verification policy allowing public safety officers to request the removal of face coverings to confirm identity.
Beyond policy enforcement, we understand the need to strengthen both our sense of community and accountability. I have appointed Scott Levin, Esq., former Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League, as
Special Advisor to the President on Jewish Engagement. Over the next year,
he will work with our university community to examine our policies and practices related to antisemitism and hate. In collaboration with our faculty, staff, students, alumni and Board of Trustees, his work will include:
Academic freedom is central to this commitment. In the pursuit of truth, I believe that knowledge flourishes through inquiry, open dialogue, and mutual respect. We must remember that academic freedom also carries moral responsibility. A truly free university must also be a safe one—where every student, including those facing hatred or bias, can fully engage in the life of the mind without fear for their wellbeing.
We are also launching a
Jewish alumni affinity group to deepen community bonds, foster mentorship, and amplify Jewish voices across generations within the DePaul network. This group will play an important role in building intergenerational bonds, strengthening mentorship opportunities, and amplifying Jewish voices within the broader DePaul network.
As DePaul’s president and a person of faith, I am personally committed to confronting antisemitism—and all forms of hate—wherever it arises. I believe these efforts will move us toward meaningful and lasting change.
In the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac—who devoted their lives to uplifting the dignity of every person—we move forward not only with resolve, but with compassion. May we continue to be a community that answers hate with hope, fear with faith, and division with the enduring light of love and grace.
Sincerely,
Robert L. Manuel
President