Statement on Duke’s Support of SSI

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 1, 2021

Contact: Avi D. Gordon, Executive Director Alums for Campus Fairness

917-332-1185, [email protected]

Alums for Campus Fairness at Duke University (ACF-Duke) applauds the Duke administration for its support of student leaders of the Student Supporting Israel (SSI) chapter in the face of what we at ACF assert is targeted discrimination from the Duke Student Government (DSG).

In a statement from President Vincent Price and Provost Sally Kornbluth, Duke acknowledged  that the DSG vote, “raised concerns about whether students have been treated in accordance with university policy that prohibits discrimination and harassment based upon national origin and religion, which includes anti-Semitism.” We greatly appreciate that Duke recognized this act for what it was -antisemitic discrimination against a group of Jewish students. 

We see this as a positive first step. Like all other students with an ethnic or religious identity, Jewish students should feel welcome at Duke. We look to the administration to remain steadfast to ensure that the campus climate is inclusive for everyone. As Duke stakeholders, we will not stand by as antisemitism threatens the Duke Jewish community.

As ACF-Duke continues to be actively engaged in combating antisemitism on campus, we stand with SSI and the Duke Jewish community.

About ACF: Alums for Campus Fairness (ACF) is America’s unified alumni voice on issues of antisemitism, demonization of Israel, and bigotry. With over fifty chapters, ACF positions tens of thousands of alumni on the front lines of key issues at their alma maters and works to ensure that universities remain pillars of open dialogue and equal opportunity for all students. For more information, please visit www.campusfairness.org.