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George Mason University’s Board of Visitors approved a resolution aimed at combating antisemitism on campus, but only after a tense debate over whether its language could restrict discussions and protests related to Israel and Gaza.

The board adopted the measure 8-4, with one abstention, on Feb. 27. It prohibits the university and its academic units from officially sponsoring or formally endorsing in advance an event, activity or outside organization with a planned or announced position deemed antisemitic.

The resolution also says Jewish shared ancestry and Israeli national origin are protected under Mason’s nondiscrimination policies. It states that terms such as “Zionism” and “Zionist” may be considered discriminatory when used as substitutes for “Jewish,” “Israeli” or similar identities.

Board member Jeffrey Rosen said he introduced the measure in response to what he described as a rapidly growing national problem of antisemitism, particularly on college campuses. Several other board members, administrators and student and faculty representatives warned that future officials could interpret the policy more broadly.

Gaza protests shape the debate

The resolution comes after widespread pro-Palestinian demonstrations criticizing Israel’s actions in Gaza following Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack. Nearly 12,400 pro-Palestinian protests and more than 2,000 pro-Israel protests were organized nationwide from October 2023 through June 2024, according to one study. That activity included more than 100 student encampments.

At Mason, Students for Justice in Palestine organized demonstrations that included a “Week of Rage” marking the first anniversary of the Hamas attack. The university suspended the organization on Nov. 12 after FBI agents and Fairfax County and campus police raided the home of two group leaders, who were also barred from campus.

Guns and threats of violence were reportedly found in the home. Fairfax County prosecutors sought emergency orders preventing the students’ brother and father from possessing firearms, but the petition was denied and no criminal charges were filed. The law enforcement agencies involved did not explain what prompted the raid at the time.

Dozens of faculty members and student groups later signed a letter questioning the raid and campus trespass orders and seeking an investigation.

Federal pressure on universities has also intensified. On March 10, the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights sent letters to Mason and 60 other universities warning of possible enforcement actions unless they did more to protect Jewish students, including their uninterrupted access to campus facilities and educational opportunities.

Meaning of “endorsement” draws scrutiny

Graduate Student Representative Carolyn Faith Hoffman warned that Mason’s resolution could affect events involving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including academic lectures and student travel to the Middle East.

“These experiences are pivotal not only in the higher education journey but for personal growth,” Hoffman said. “Please do not take away these growth opportunities from current and future students, our next generation of leaders.”

Hoffman argued that the measure could deepen division and antisemitism rather than reduce them.

Mason President Gregory Washington focused on the resolution’s use of the word “endorse,” saying it was unclear how the university should apply it. He questioned whether hosting a debate involving a scholar accused of antisemitism could amount to sponsorship when a university entity pays for travel, meals or lodging.

“Modern scholarship is not free,” Washington said. “It comes with a cost.”

Faculty Representative Solon Simmons said faculty members he consulted opposed the resolution by roughly 2-to-1 or 3-to-1. The board also received more than 60 responses to an earlier draft from students, employees, alumni and community members, nearly all in opposition.

Board member Horace Blackman said the measure’s meaning would ultimately be interpreted by people who were not present for the debate.

“We’re going to be long gone and this is going to live on,” Blackman said, adding that he found the word “endorsed” confusing in context.

Washington proposed defining endorsement in the resolution, but Rosen rejected the suggestion. Rosen maintained that official sponsorship and advance endorsement were understandable concepts and described the restriction as extremely narrow.

Board divides over contested protest slogan

Much of the debate split members appointed by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin from administrators and members appointed by Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam. Youngkin appointees Rosen and Robert Pence both served in President Donald Trump’s first administration. Rosen was acting attorney general, while Pence was ambassador to Finland.

Pence criticized Washington’s response to the Oct. 7 attack and pointed to demonstrators chanting, “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

Supporters have used the phrase to demand freedom for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. Critics interpret it as a call to abolish Israel. Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares asserted in a 2023 letter to college and university presidents that protesters using the slogan were calling for a second Holocaust.

Pence characterized the chant as advocating genocide and suggested it should be prohibited on campus.

“It’s despicable and I don’t think it should be allowed to be said,” he said.

Board member Charles Cooper opposed the resolution and said that although he did not support the slogan, it remained protected speech. He distinguished between an individual using the phrase and the university attaching its name and reputation to it.

The approved resolution directs Mason to publish a fact sheet about discrimination based on Jewish shared ancestry and Israeli national origin, including the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism and contemporary examples.

It also requires employees receiving Mason paychecks to receive guidance on the IHRA definition through mandatory equal-opportunity training. Applicants must be given access to University Policy 1201 during the admissions process.

The measure says its sponsorship restriction applies only to advance institutional endorsement by Mason and its academic units. It explicitly states that the policy must not restrict individual speech or academic freedom, deny access to university facilities because of constitutionally protected viewpoints, or affect recognition of student organizations based on their protected positions.

The board also declared that Mason would not tolerate prohibited discrimination based on actual or perceived Jewish ancestry or Israeli national origin. Violations of university policy are to carry consequences through established disciplinary procedures, and the university president must report findings under Policy 1201 to the board at the end of every academic year and when otherwise requested.

Protesters held signs during the discussion, and one attendee called the vote “a disgrace” before leaving.