For someone who has just taken a senior leadership role at one of the world’s leading universities, the CST report into campus antisemitism made for essential reading.
While it found that the vast majority of Jewish students have a strongly positive experience on campus, antisemitism is on the rise and more needs to be done to ensure universities are safe and welcoming places.
It makes important recommendations, including improved reporting processes for complaints and for universities to adopt the IHRA working definition of antisemitism.
UCL was one of the first universities to adopt IHRA in 2019. Our governing council passed this by an overwhelming majority with two additional caveats recommended by the Home Affairs Select Committee. By doing so, we sent a strong message that we are committed to addressing antisemitism.
As in many other universities, there are academic concerns about the use of the IHRA, which some argue impacts on freedom of speech. As readers of the JC may have seen, UCL’s Academic Board recently made an advisory recommendation to Council to replace the IHRA with an alternative definition. Council will take into account the views of our wider community when considering this. In the meantime, the IHRA remains in place.
While there is disagreement over IHRA, there remains serious commitment to fighting antisemitism. Colleagues have spoken movingly of their own, their families’ and others’ experiences of antisemitism and the need for UCL to lead the way in opposing it. Academic Board also voted overwhelmingly to support an action plan for combating antisemitism and educating our community about its history and present-day manifestations.
Antisemitism in the 21st century is complex and multifaceted; it shapeshifts and disguises itself. It is possible that a person might use antisemitic tropes and not understand that they are behaving in a way that is racist. That is why education is vital.
Many at UCL have been fortunate to draw on the advice and support of organisations such as the UJS and the Board of Deputies. A priority now is to ramp up this activity. We will be drawing up an Antisemitism Education Action Plan with representatives from the UCL Jewish Society, academics and invited experts.
Of course, there are occasions when people know what they are doing when they use words or images to offend, wound, and stir up hatred. This is what disciplinary processes are for and I will not hesitate to use them. Impartial, robust and clear reporting procedures are fundamental and we will review and improve our systems quickly.
Last week, I was asked a hypothetical question about whether UCL would allow a Holocaust denier to be invited onto campus – specifically on the supposed premise that their views would be lawful. To clarify, I doubt very much that their views would be lawful and ought not to be if they are. I fully acknowledge the huge emotional impact that Holocaust denial has on Jewish and other members of the community. I will do my utmost to ensure that UCL is a place in which such a speaker would never be invited.
UCL was founded as the first university in England that did not require students to be members of the Church of England. Many of the great figures of UK Jewish history are also great figures of our history. I want UCL to be the place Jewish students and staff come to because they feel safe, welcome and that they belong. I will listen carefully to their concerns and will consult and engage with them on actions that we are, and will, be taking. I know that the Jewish community needs action as well as words. I pledge that hostile behaviour, discrimination and abuse of any kind will be treated with the utmost seriousness.
Michael Spence is President and Provost of UCL
