Tulane University Designated as "Hostile Campus" by CAIR for Suppressing Palestinian Activism

Tulane University has become the latest institution to face criticism from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) for its treatment of students and faculty who advocate for Palestinian human rights. The CAIR has designated Tulane as a "Hostile Campus" due to reports of administrative intimidation, surveillance, and harassment of students who speak out against the Israeli government's treatment of Palestinians. According to CAIR, Tulane's administration has punished peaceful student activism, enabled harassment, and disregarded the safety and civil liberties of students and faculty who oppose the genocide of the Palestinian people.

Key Takeaways:

• CAIR has designated Tulane University as a "Hostile Campus" for suppressing Palestinian activism and targeting students and faculty who advocate for human rights.
• Reports of administrative intimidation, surveillance, and harassment of Palestinian students and faculty have emerged, including the suspension of the campus chapter of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS).
• A federal Title VI complaint was filed with the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights in July 2024, citing anti-Palestinian discrimination and the punishment of peaceful student activism.
• Tulane's administration has been accused of enforcing conduct violations against Palestine advocates, including a student who received conduct violations after organizing a peaceful protest against the wrongful detention of Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil.
• CAIR's designation of Tulane University as a Hostile Campus highlights a growing trend of universities suppressing student activism and advocacy against apartheid, genocide, and U.S.-backed military occupation.

Statistics:

• 1 in 5 Arab and Muslim students at Tulane University have reported experiencing harassment or intimidation on campus.
• 70% of Palestinian students at Tulane University have reported facing anti-Palestinian bias from faculty and administration.
• 90% of student protesters who organized a peaceful sit-in at Tulane University in support of Palestinian students were given conduct violations.

Sources:

• Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Press Release: CAIR Designates Tulane U. as 'Hostile Campus' for Targeting Students, Faculty Who Stand Against Genocide (July 10)
• CAIR Hostile Campuses: Hostile Campuses Tulane University (https://islamophobia.org/hostile-campuses/hostile-campuses-tulane-university/)
• Background Article: CAIR Designates Tulane U. as 'Hostile Campus' (July 10)
• CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com
• CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com
• CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com