Advisory Committee on Arab and Muslim Student Life and Advisory Committee on Jewish Student Life

In December 2023, the university identified a set of actions to support the Arab, Jewish, Middle Eastern and North African (MENA), and Muslim communities on campus.

These actions help foster an environment in which community members with diverse beliefs, perspectives, and cultures have a voice and in which all students, faculty, and staff feel welcome and respected.

Two advisory committees help guide and continue the work already begun to support and enhance student life for our Jewish and Arab and Muslim students. The charge to each advisory committee is shared below.

Secretary Kimberly Goff-Crews updated the university community in September 2024 on efforts to foster free expression and peaceable assembly on campus through actions that focus on information and resources, organizational structure and support, and learning and training. The university incorporated advice from the Advisory Committees on Arab and Muslim Student Life and Jewish Student Life and input from student, faculty, and alumni groups, resulting in some actions that are similar for all communities as well as some that address community-specific needs.

Comments or questions can be directed to the Secretary’s Office.

Advisory Committee on Jewish Student Life

Purpose: This committee is established to help implement and amplify the recommendations of the Yale Antisemitism Climate Group of 2022 incorporated into university priorities and planning and to continue to identify and help address issues related to the campus climate for the Jewish student community.

General Scope of Work:

Advise on the implementation of recommendations made by the Yale Antisemitism Climate Group that have been approved and incorporated into ongoing university planning and processes.
Collaborate with relevant university offices to evaluate the campus environment for the Jewish student community, including working with the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility and other relevant offices and departments to address incidents of antisemitism.
Advise on the impact of university policies as they relate to the Jewish community, including educational programs, safety measures and cultural accommodations (e.g., calendaring) and other aspects of university life that may impact the Jewish student community differentially. Members must identify and understand best practices.
Create and maintain avenues for input and feedback from all members of the community.
Explore and recommend ways for increased collaboration and dialogue among relevant communities about issues of antisemitism.

Specific Additional Scope of Work for FY24 and FY25:

In addition to the ongoing work described above, the advisory committee will focus on the following project in close collaboration with the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA). This collaboration is essential for aligning the broader university policies and goals related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. OIEA will provide guidance, resources, and support as needed to ensure the task force’s efforts are integrated into the university’s overall strategy for promoting an inclusive and respectful campus environment.

Examine Current Training Programs: Assess existing training programs to address antisemitism for student life professionals to determine their effectiveness and identify areas for improvement and expansion by offices charged with this work.
Develop Recommendations on New Educational and Training Programs: Consult relevant experts and peer programs to recommend the expansion of educational programs, including orientation programs for the broader student community.
Implementation and Assessment: If appropriate, help implement new educational and training programs. Conduct an initial assessment of pilot programs in first year.
Expert Consultation: Identify and consult with appropriate internal and external experts in relevant fields, including the Yale Program for the Study of Antisemitism, to inform the development of these programs.
Peer Review and Best Practices: Examine efforts by peer institutions and determine best practices in antisemitism training and education.

Timeline for special project:

Initial Assessment and Recommendations: A midpoint check-in with Secretary and Vice President for University Life and the final report due by the end of the Spring 2024 semester.
Continued Consultations: Throughout the summer and fall of 2024.
Assessment of Initial Pilots: In the spring of 2025.

Reporting Structure: The committee will report directly to the Secretary and Vice President for University Life as the officer responsible for campus climate initiatives.

Membership: The committee will include members from the original Yale Antisemitism Climate Group and will be expanded to include additional university members as appropriate to carry out the defined scope of work.

Membership term: three years with the option of renewal

Meeting Frequency: The committee will meet at least twice per semester. The Chair will have a separate meeting with the Secretary at least once per semester to share insights and establish a focus for the year. Additionally, the full committee will meet with the Secretary at least once a year. Special projects will require additional meeting times.

This committee is entrusted with a vital role in ensuring a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for the Jewish community on campus and is expected to work collaboratively across university communities and within the diverse Jewish community and diligently towards achieving these objectives.

Advisory Committee on Arab and Muslim Student Life

Purpose: The committee is established to identify and help address issues related to the campus climate for the Arab and Muslim communities on campus.

General Scope of Work:

Collaborate with relevant university offices to evaluate the campus environment for the Arab and Muslim student communities on campus, including working with the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility and other offices to address incidents of Islamophobia and anti-Arab racism .
Advise on the impact of university policies as they relate to the Arab and Muslim communities, including educational programs, safety measures and cultural accommodations (e.g., calendaring) and other aspects of university life that may impact these student communities differentially. Members must identify and understand best practices.
Create and maintain avenues for input and feedback from all members of these communities.
Explore and recommend ways for increased collaboration and dialogue among relevant communities about issues of Islamophobia and anti-Arab racism .

Specific Additional Scope of Work for FY24 and FY25:

Examine Current Training Programs: Assess existing training programs on Islamophobia and anti-Arab racism for student life professionals to determine their effectiveness and identify areas for improvement and expansion by offices charged with this work.
Develop Recommendations on New Educational and Training Programs: Consult relevant experts and peer programs to recommend the expansion of educational programs, including orientation programs for the broader student community.
Implementation and Assessment: If appropriate, help implement new educational and training programs. Conduct an initial assessment of pilot programs in first year.
Expert Consultation: Identify and consult with appropriate internal and external experts in relevant fields, including the Council of Middle Eastern Studies, to inform the development of these programs.
Peer Review and Best Practices: Examine efforts by peer institutions and determine best practices in training and education that helps address Islamophobia anti-Arab racism.

Timeline for special project:

Initial Assessment and Recommendations: A midpoint check-in with Secretary and Vice President for University Life and the final report due by the end of the Spring 2024 semester.
Continued Consultations: Throughout the summer and fall of 2024.
Assessment of Initial Pilots: In the spring of 2025.

Reporting Structure: The committee will report directly to the Secretary and Vice President for University Life as the officer responsible for campus climate initiatives.

Membership: The committee will include members from relevant university constituencies and experts in the fields of Middle Eastern, North African, and Islamic studies, at least one Muslim chaplain as well as representatives from student affairs units pertinent to these communities.

Membership term: three years with the option of renewal

This committee is entrusted with a vital role in ensuring a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for the Muslim and Arab communities on campus and is expected to work collaboratively across university communities and within the diverse Muslim and Arabcommunities and diligently towards achieving these objectives.