Combating Antisemitism

The University is committed to maintaining a community that provides everyone with equal access to the learning and working environment. Therefore, the University prohibits all forms of bias, discrimination, and harassment, including Antisemitism. All such complaints will be investigated by the Office of Legal Compliance and Investigations in accordance with the existing University policy on Bias, Discrimination, and Harassment.

Nothing in this policy shall be construed to apply to or affect any rights secured by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution or Section 1 of the Constitution of Kentucky; the religious freedom of faculty, students, and student organizations; publications and the freedom of expression of student newspapers and University press; the activities, funding (except for organizations found to have materially supported designated terrorist organizations), conduct, speech, and freedom of association of student-led organizations; or the conduct or speech of students acting in their individual capacities.

Reports of Bias, Discrimination, and Harassment Policy https://louisville.edu/policies/policies-and-procedures/pageholder/pol-reports-of-bias-discrimination-and-harassment

Viewpoint Neutrality Policy https://louisville.edu/policies/policies-and-procedures/pageholder/pol-viewpoint-neutrality

Senate Joint Resolution 55 (SJR 55) https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/acts/25RS/documents/0157.pdf

KRS 344.450 Civil remedies for injunction and damages https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=32648

KRS 164.348 Campus free speech protection https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=49294

As legally mandated by 2025 Regular Session Senate Joint Resolution 55 (SJR 55), the University of Louisville (University) establishes this policy to combat Antisemitism, protect the right of all individuals to access the institution's programs and activities, and foster a safe and welcoming environment for our entire campus community that is free from bias, discrimination, and harassment.

This policy supplements, and does not supersede, the University's existing anti-discrimination policies and practices. All individuals will receive equal protection under federal and state laws and University policies.

Antisemitism: For the purposes of informing and guiding this policy, the University adopts the working definition of "Antisemitism" as established by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) and recognized by the Kentucky General Assembly in 2021 Regular Session Senate Resolution 67. The IHRA definition is:

"Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions, and religious facilities."

The University will use this definition as a guiding resource for training, education, and identifying antisemitic intent or incidents of bias, discrimination, or harassment.

The University shall not interpret or apply the IHRA definition in a manner that prohibits speech or expression that is protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution or Section 1 of the Constitution of Kentucky.

The Office of the Dean of Students is responsible for notifying all enrolled students in writing of the rights and laws referenced in this policy.

The Office of Legal Compliance and Investigations is responsible for investigating complaints of Antisemitism in accordance with the policy and procedures of reports of Bias, Discrimination, and Harassment.

The University Integrity and Compliance Office is responsible for ensuring reports of non-compliance with this policy are appropriately investigated and for collecting and maintaining data required under this policy.