The New School said Saturday that its University Student Senate had no authority to defund or cut ties with the university’s Hillel chapter, after student leaders voted Friday in New York City to declare the Jewish campus organization “not in good standing” over Israel-related programs and trips. The university said the administration, not the student senate, controls recognition, funding eligibility, and official status for registered student organizations.
The student senate alleged that Hillel’s ties to Hillel International, Birthright Israel, Onward Israel, and programs involving visits or volunteering on Israel Defense Forces bases linked the chapter to violations of international law. The senate said Hillel could return to good standing if it cut ties with Hillel International and ended participation in several Israel-related student trips.
“To continue to fund Hillel at the New School would mean that your student fees would be used to support violations of international law,” the senate said. “Our shared values require us to enforce our policies until Hillel agrees to affirm and abide by international law.” The student senate also cited Birthright Israel activities, including travel in the Golan Heights.
The university rejected the move. “The student senate does not have the authority to determine the recognition, funding eligibility, or official status of registered student organizations. That authority rests with university administration,” a spokesperson said. “Our Hillel chapter remains, as it always has been, in good standing, eligible for funding, and supporting Jewish life at The New School.”
The vote was believed to be the first such action against a Hillel chapter in the US. Hillel officials said they were in talks with the university after the vote. The campus chapter serves Jewish students at The New School, a private university in Manhattan.
The decision drew criticism from Jewish leaders and elected officials. Mark Treyger, chief executive officer of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, called the vote “disgraceful and dangerous.” New York City Council Member Eric Dinowitz described it as “a direct attack on Jewish life on campus.” Rep. Ritchie Torres said the episode showed that “discrimination against Jewish individuals and institutions is becoming increasingly normalized.”
The Council on American-Islamic Relations – New York welcomed the vote as “a step toward accountability and adherence to international human rights principles,” while Jewish Voice for Peace praised the action and said it hoped similar campaigns would spread.
The dispute comes as US universities continue to confront conflicts over Israel, antisemitism, campus speech, and Jewish student life following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack and the war in Gaza.
