Over 200 universities, colleges and other higher
education providers have signed up to the
International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance
(IHRA) working definition
of antisemitism, according to figures published by the
Office for Students (OfS) today.
A total of 95 universities have signed up, which
represents a significant increase compared to previously
published figures. Research from the Union of Jewish Students
published in September last year found that
28 universities had adopted the definition.
Alongside the list of providers who have publicly confirmed they
have adopted the definition, the OfS has published a
range of case studies and resources designed to help universities
and colleges to tackle antisemitism on campus.
Commenting, Chris Millward, director for fair access and
participation at the OfS, said:
‘The IHRA working definition of antisemitism is a useful way of
understanding antisemitism, which enables universities and
colleges to interpret and tackle antisemitism on campus.
The OfS has itself signed up to the definition
and the information we are publishing today helps to
further increase transparency about the position of
universities and colleges. This new
evidence demonstrates that there has been a rapid increase
in the number of universities and colleges adopting the
definition.
‘This is welcome and is testament to the excellent
campaigning work by groups of Jewish students, which has led more
universities and colleges to acknowledge
the importance of the definition and the
benefits of using it in
practice. The OfS published a
statement of expectations for preventing and
tackling harassment earlier this year, and we are clear
that we will consider further action if
universities do not take the steps necessary to meet
these expectations during the current academic
year.
‘Signing up to the IHRA working definition is
one of the ways universities
and colleges can tackle antisemitism. It is
essential that universities and colleges act swiftly
and decisively in response to any acts of antisemitism, so
that students are safe – and feel safe – on
campus. The resources we are publishing today set
out some of the positive work universities and colleges
are doing in this area.’
Minister for Higher and Further Education
said:
‘The horrors of the Holocaust are a stark
reminder that we must do all we can to root out antisemitism
wherever we find it. That requires a common understanding of what
antisemitism is and the forms it takes in modern
society.
‘Adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance
Alliance’s definition of antisemitism makes a public
commitment to tackling this insidious form of racism in helping
to identify antisemitic conduct, and I have been
working across the higher education sector to promote its
adoption.
‘It is encouraging to see so many universities take up the IHRA
definition in the past year – but there is more work to do to end
the scourge of antisemitism on our campuses and I will
continue to work with university leaders to demand action and
urge progress.’
ENDS
Notes
1. The Office for Students is the
independent regulator for higher education in England. Our aim is
to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a
fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their
lives and careers.
2. A total of 216 providers registered
with the OfS have adopted the definition. A list
of these providers is attached.
3. The OfS has published a
webpage including various case studies and resources for
providers, available from: https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/student-wellbeing-and-protection/prevent-and-address-harassment-and-sexual-misconduct/tackling-antisemitism/
4.
The OfS acknowledges that the IHRA definition
doesn’t have the status of law and isn’t legally
binding. More information on
the definition is available from https://www.holocaustremembrance.com/resources/working-definitions-charters/working-definition-antisemitism
