The two organizations announced Thursday they have launched an initiative to increase safety for Jewish students on campuses this fall.
The move comes after a House committee reported that none of the students arrested for breaking into and occupying Columbia University buildings during anti-Israel protests this spring have been expelled from the Ivy League school.
As college campuses across the country are rocked by protests and tent city “encampments” that threaten Jewish students, a federal judge this month ordered the University of California, Los Angeles, to ensure equal access to campus for Jewish and non-Jewish students, blasting the university for saying it has “no responsibility” to protect the religious freedom of Jewish students.
And last week, the City University of New York campus police told The Post that the university’s campus was completely unprepared for another round of “potentially dangerous” anti-Israel protests.
Two groups, Secure Communities Network and Hillel International, are trying to change that. They say their Operation Secure Our Campus initiative will help “tighten up” campus security in preparation for expected protests when classes start.
The campaign includes full-time intelligence analysis of campus developments, consultations on security and emergency plans and procedures, and “enhanced cooperation” with law enforcement to protect centers of Jewish life on and near campus.
“The unacceptable environment of threat to Jewish students, faculty and staff on campuses across the country requires an immediate and strong response,” said Michael Masters, SCN’s national director and CEO. “We strive to ensure members of our community feel safe and supported as they pursue their education. They should be able to walk around campus without fear, harassment or targeted violence.”
The SCN, which has tracked 674 cases of threats and suspicious activity targeting the Jewish community since the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel, said many schools “struggled to protect their Jewish students and faculty.”
The group, which has already brought together law enforcement and public safety officials from 92 universities in 24 states, representatives from the FBI and Jewish security experts, has put forward 10 recommendations, including proactive planning, strict enforcement of security policies and increased cooperation with local law enforcement.
Adam Lehman, president and CEO of Hillel International, said of the initiative, “Together, we will continue to invest in expanding security resources that will facilitate safe opportunities for students to access the wide range of Jewish experiences and programs offered through Hillel and our partners.”
