The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
Title VI Investigation of Antisemitism at UVM
Background
-
Personal reports from students
re being Jewish at UVM, published September 13, 2022
OCR Complaint and Outcomes
- OCR Complaint (redacted) October 2, 2021
- OCR Letter to President Garimella April 3, 2023
-
OCR-UVM Resolution Agreement April 3, 2023
- President’s response to OCR settlement April 3, 2023
-
Provost on “Improving Policies and Procedures in Support of our Inclusive Community” April 3, 2023
These UVM communications do not link to the OCR’s Letter to President Garimella or to the settlement (above). Neither mentions the OCR’s criticisms of the President’s letter of 9/15/22 (see below).
President Garimella’s 9/15/22 Letter to the Community and its aftermath
- The letter
annotated to highlight concerning statements and correct the record -
Brandeis Center and Jewish on Campus reaction
deems Pres. Garimella’s “dismissive” response ”astonishingly inadequate and offensive” -
American Jewish Committee (AJC) Criticizes Response to Antisemitism Complaints
AJC, though cited by Pres. Garimella in defense of UVM, is “deeply disappointed” by his letter -
20 Jewish orgs. respond with “grave alarm” to “denial of antisemitism allegations”
open letter signed by 20 national organizations -
United Academics Statement
UVM’s faculty union decries President’s “reprehensible response”
Action to improve UVM’s responses to antisemitism and the OCR investigation
- Letter from faculty
calling for greater transparency and an apology from President Garimella; UVM faculty can sign at the link - Faculty Resolution
as amended and approved by the Faculty Senate 56–3 (2 abstentions) May 18, 2023
(here is the resolution as originally submitted) - UA statement
supporting the Senate resolution, May 2, 2023 - UVM Staff United statement
staff union calls on President “to adhere to Our Common Ground values and to apologize” May 4, 2023