Amid rising antisemitism on campus, some university leaders have remained silent. Washington University Chancellor Andrew D. Martin has taken a different approach.
Since Oct. 7, WashU has quietly positioned itself as a safe haven for Jewish students, welcoming those seeking refuge from increasingly hostile campus environments across the country. Now, Martin is taking his commitment national. On March 3, he will join a high-profile conversation at ADL’s “Never Is Now” summit, the largest global gathering dedicated to combating hate, in New York City.
His presence at the summit isn’t just symbolic—it’s a statement of leadership at a time when many universities are struggling to respond to campus antisemitism, outside agitators and student safety concerns.
“I hope other institutions will aspire to Chancellor Martin’s example of proactively addressing antisemitism on campus, creating a welcoming environment for Jewish students and fostering dialogue,” said Jordan Kadosh, ADL Heartland regional director. “I’m looking forward to hearing his thought leadership in the broader context of campus environments nationally.”
In an interview with the Jewish Light, Martin emphasized the responsibility of higher education leaders to set clear expectations and act on their values.
“It’s important for the audience to know that we understand what our commitment to our students is and should be,” Martin said. “At WashU, we want all of our students—and everyone in our community—to feel safe, welcome and supported. There is no place here for hate, bigotry or harassment, toward our Jewish students or any group or individual.”
Martin added that he and Vanderbilt University Chancellor Daniel Diermeier have called on other university leaders to reaffirm their core principles in response to growing campus antisemitism.
“Now more than ever, we must define who we are and what we stand for,” he said. “Only by keeping our focus squarely on our missions will we be able to fulfill our promise to our communities and to our nation and restore trust in American higher education.”
The reality on campus
According to the ADL, antisemitism on college campuses isn’t just rising—it’s exploding. Students are facing harassment, vandalism and even physical threats. Universities are stuck in the middle, trying to balance free speech while keeping students safe.
Kadosh says the best schools are the ones taking real action.
“Campuses have seen success when they implement their own rules and policies,” he explained. “Time, place and manner limitations protect everyone’s speech—not just whomever happens to be speaking out at the time.”
But there’s another challenge: outside agitators. Open campuses like WashU make it easy for non-students to exploit free speech protections and push antisemitic rhetoric.
“The residents of the campus still have the right to live in peace and security,” Kadosh said.
Martin addressed this growing challenge, urging university leaders to ensure that free speech does not become a cover for harassment or intimidation.
“Free expression is a fundamental, core value for all institutions of higher education. However, there is a line where free expression becomes something else,” he told the Jewish Light. “We cannot tolerate harassment or intimidation toward groups or individuals. As leaders, we must make our policies clear and apply them consistently.”
He added that universities must be proactive in ensuring that free speech and student safety are not mutually exclusive.
“Free expression and respect can co-exist,” Martin said. “It is our imperative to create an environment where all are free to use their voices and feel safe and supported. Antisemitism and other forms of discrimination simply cannot be tolerated.”
Turning talk into action
Conferences like “Never Is Now” can be inspiring, but Kadosh wants attendees to walk away with more than just ideas.
“There are a lot of great workshops happening at ‘Never Is Now’ this year in addition to the main stage conversations,” he said. “I think participants will come home better equipped to make a difference wherever they choose to show up, be it on campus, at work or in the community more broadly.”
That’s the goal this year: empowerment. Universities, workplaces and communities need to move beyond talk and start taking concrete steps to push back against antisemitism.
How to watch the summit
Chancellor Martin will speak during an evening session on March 3. To attend or watch the livestream, visit Never Is Now.
