Task Force on Antisemitism and Islamophobia

Dear campus community,

Last year, a Joint Presidential and University Senate Task Force on Antisemitism and Islamophobia was created to provide guidance, recommendations and counsel on a strategy to confront antisemitism and Islamophobia on campus. Weeks later, we announced the Task Force’s membership, which included UMD students, faculty and staff. The task force members were nominated by campus colleagues and selected in partnership with the University Senate. We are grateful for the commitment by all to this essential work.

The task force was charged with examining current university policies and practices to identify areas for improvement in combating and mitigating hate-bias incidents related to antisemitism and Islamophobia. It also was asked to understand the dynamics of such incidents, to evaluate the effectiveness of existing preventive measures and to propose actionable strategies. The task force was asked to consult with members of the campus community, student leaders and campus religious leaders.

Our co-chairs Maxine Grossman, associate professor and director of the Joseph and Rebecca Meyerhoff Program and Center for Jewish Studies, and Shibley Telhami, the Anwar Sadat Professor for Peace and Development, led a group of individuals who represent varying viewpoints and backgrounds and delivered a report to the university.

Care and compassion resonate throughout the final report, which University Senate Chair Jordan Sly and I share with you today. The intention of the task force to recommend steps for measurable improvement for our campus community cannot be overstated. This focus has now yielded findings and recommendations that will allow us to further promote safety, discourse and a sense of belonging on campus.

We share the powerful words of our task force co-chairs to honor the work and effort of all members:

“We were proud to co-chair this group of scholars, practitioners, students and concerned campus citizens,” said Grossman. “Every one of us brought complicated personal identities, and often-conflicting viewpoints to our discussions, even as we sought context and understanding with a deep sense of shared humanity.”

“The professionalism and focus on the collective good of our community exhibited by our task force members were of the utmost importance, as everyone worked with a constructive spirit across our differences,” said Telhami. “Our work took place during a time of pain and suffering for many, as documented spikes of antisemitism and Islamophobia in our country and beyond took place. We knew we had work to do to put our university first and create an environment that protected the safety of all community members equally, while also protecting free speech and leaning on our educational mission to advance mutual understanding.”

We hope you will read through the findings and recommendations, as transparency and accountability are paramount in creating the community we want to be. These are indeed thoughtful and actionable recommendations. The President’s Office has assigned units and departments to explore each of the recommendations and consider an implementation plan.

Thank you to each of you for reporting any instances of antisemitism or Islamophobia when you see it or hear it. We also thank you for your shared commitment to growing a campus that is TerrapinSTRONG.

Sincerely,
Darryll J. Pines
President, University of Maryland, College Park

Jordan Sly
Chair, University of Maryland Senate

The Task Force is charged with examining current university policies and practices to identify areas for improvement in combating and mitigating hate-bias incidents related to antisemitism and Islamophobia. Its mission includes understanding the root causes of such incidents, evaluating the effectiveness of existing preventive measures, and proposing actionable strategies. The work of the task force shall include consultation with members of the campus community, student leaders and campus religious leaders, including Rabbi Ari Israel from UMD Hillel, Rabbi Eli Backman from UMD Chabad, Imam Tarif Shraim from the Center for Muslim Life and Father Conrad Murphy from UMD Catholic Student Center.

Maxine Grossman
Associate Professor and Director
Joseph and Rebecca Meyerhoff Program and Center for Jewish Studies

Shibley Telhami
Anwar Sadat Professor for Peace and Development and a Distinguished Scholar-Teacher

James Bond
Director
Office of Student Conduct

Stephanie Chang
Assistant Vice President
Office of Diversity and Inclusion

Jen Gartner
Deputy General Counsel
Office of General Counsel

Hassan Ibrahim
Clinical Professor
Robert H. Smith School of Business

Doron Levy
Professor and Chair
College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences

Sahar Mohammed Khamis
Associate Professor
College of Arts and Humanities

Arie Kruglanski
Distinguished University Professor
College of Behavioral and Social Sciences

Major Michael Leadbeter
Commander of Support Services Bureau
Department of Public Safety

Yelena Luckert
Director of Research
Teaching and Learning, University Libraries

Keira Martone
Associate Director
Department of Resident Life

James McShay
Assistant Vice President for Engagement
Division of Student Affairs

Ayala Nuriely Kimel
Lecturer
College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences

Korey Rothman
Senior Lecturer and Director of Civicus
College of Behavioral and Social Sciences

Yasmeen Faroqi Shah
Professor
College of Behavioral and Social Sciences

Saul Sosnowski
Professor
College of Arts and Humanities

Peter Wien
Professor
College of Arts and Humanities

Zeena Zakharia
Assistant Professor
College of Education

Kemi Abdulrasaq Busari
Doctoral student
Merrill College of Journalism

Emily Devore
Undergraduate student
School of Public Policy

Adam Ghannoum
Undergraduate student and President of the Muslim Student Association
College of Information Studies and Robert H. Smith School of Business

Reni Kaza
Undergraduate student
College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences

Daniel Satterthwaite
Doctoral student
College of Behavioral and Social Sciences

Stone Schwartz
Undergraduate student and President of the Jewish Student Union
A. James Clark School of Engineering

Imaan Shikoh
Undergraduate student
School of Public Policy