Task Force on Antisemitism and Islamophobia
Dear campus community,
On November 27, I announced several measures to help prioritize a safe and inclusive community at the University of Maryland, including the establishment of a Joint Presidential and University Senate Task Force on Antisemitism and Islamophobia.
I am pleased to announce the membership of this important task force, comprising of students, faculty and staff who were nominated by campus colleagues. The task force will be chaired by two esteemed university scholars: 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 and a Distinguished Scholar-Teacher. The full list of members is below.
Their charge is both ambitious and critical. The recent events in the Middle East have unfortunately contributed to a rise in the number of hate incidents nationally against religious, national and shared ancestry groups. Recognizing the importance of fostering an environment of diversity, equity, inclusion and combating unlawful discrimination and harassment, the Joint President-University Senate Task Force on Antisemitism and Islamophobia will examine applicable university policies and practices to identify areas for improvement. It will recommend actionable strategies to address and mitigate future hate-bias incidents of antisemitism and Islamophobia.
With the ultimate goal of contributing toward a campus community that is welcoming, respectful and inclusive of diverse backgrounds, the task force’s purpose is to (i) understand the causes of antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents, (ii) assess the effectiveness of existing preventive measures, and (iii) propose new initiatives to foster understanding, dialogue and support. All of this must be done within the context of, and consistent with, applicable law.
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. The task force shall also consult with experts in the areas of antisemitism, Islamophobia, Middle East politics and policy, campus safety, legal doctrine, and educational best practices. Additionally, the task force shall also review previous work, including the findings of the Joint President-Senate Inclusion and Respect Task Force.
The task force shall commence its work in January, providing periodic updates and a final report to the university administration by June 30, 2024, including its findings, recommendations and a proposed action plan.
Please join me in thanking the members of this task force in advance for their commitment to this vital work.
Sincerely,
Darryll J. PinesPresident, University of Maryland, College ParkHe/Him/His
Charge Summary:
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.
Membership
Co-chairs
Maxine GrossmanAssociate Professor and DirectorJoseph and Rebecca Meyerhoff Program and Center for Jewish Studies
Shibley TelhamiAnwar Sadat Professor for Peace and Development and a Distinguished Scholar-Teacher
Faculty, Staff, and Community Members
James BondDirectorOffice of Student Conduct
Stephanie ChangAssistant Vice PresidentOffice of Diversity and Inclusion
Jen GartnerDeputy General CounselOffice of General Counsel
Hassan IbrahimClinical ProfessorRobert H. Smith School of Business
Doron LevyProfessor and ChairCollege of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences
Sahar Mohammed KhamisAssociate ProfessorCollege of Arts and Humanities
Arie KruglanskiDistinguished University ProfessorCollege of Behavioral and Social Sciences
Major Michael LeadbeterCommander of Support Services BureauDepartment of Public Safety
Yelena LuckertDirector of ResearchTeaching and Learning, University Libraries
Keira MartoneAssociate DirectorDepartment of Resident Life
James McShayAssistant Vice President for EngagementDivision of Student Affairs
Ayala Nuriely KimelLecturerCollege of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences
Korey RothmanSenior Lecturer and Director of CivicusCollege of Behavioral and Social Sciences
Yasmeen Faroqi ShahProfessorCollege of Behavioral and Social Sciences
Saul SosnowskiProfessorCollege of Arts and Humanities
Peter WienProfessorCollege of Arts and Humanities
Zeena ZakhariaAssistant ProfessorCollege of Education
Undergraduate and Graduate Student Members
Kemi Abdulrasaq BusariDoctoral studentMerrill College of Journalism
Emily DevoreUndergraduate studentSchool of Public Policy
Adam GhannoumUndergraduate student and President of the Muslim Student AssociationCollege of Information Studies and Robert H. Smith School of Business
Reni KazaUndergraduate studentCollege of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences
Daniel SatterthwaiteDoctoral studentCollege of Behavioral and Social Sciences
Stone SchwartzUndergraduate student and President of the Jewish Student UnionA. James Clark School of Engineering
Imaan ShikohUndergraduate studentSchool of Public Policy