July 22, 2026
Dear Reed Students, Faculty, and Staff:
We are writing to share important information with the Reed College community.
We begin by reaffirming Reed’s liberal arts mission. Our academic culture is grounded in intellectual rigor, freedom of inquiry, and a commitment to engaging difficult questions with seriousness and care. We value disagreement, debate, and protest as essential components of education—while also holding ourselves accountable for ensuring that all members of our community are able to learn, teach, and work in an environment free from unlawful discrimination and harassment.
In this time of global crisis, our responsibilities to one another as a campus community are especially clear. Over the past years, the painful events taking place in Israel and Palestine have sharpened conversations on campus and, at times, strained our sense of shared belonging, particularly for students, faculty, and staff whose personal, cultural, religious, or familial ties connect them to the region. Precisely because of this intensity, we must remain steadfast in holding two core commitments together: fostering free and open expression and creating an environment where our community can engage with the academic program free from discrimination and show care for one another in ways that sustain the dignity of every member of our community.
We want to make you aware that in the summer and fall of 2024, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) notified the college that it had received two complaints alleging that Reed College may have violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The complaints raised concerns about the college’s response to reports about antisemitism on campus and were filed on behalf of Jewish students. When these issues are brought forward, we have a duty to listen thoughtfully, especially to what our students have to say, and to take seriously our obligation to provide an environment that supports learning, intellectual freedom, and the well-being of all members of our community. The complainants indicated they were interested in having these concerns be resolved through mediation, and Reed agreed to participate.
Following a confidential and voluntary mediation process supported by OCR, and after months of dialogue and reflection, we are writing to share that Reed College has reached a voluntary agreement with the complainants. The Board of Trustees approved this agreement, which builds on Reed’s longstanding commitment to ensuring full and equal access for every member of our community within our distinctive academic environment. At the same time, it reaffirms Reed’s deeply held commitments to freedom of expression, academic freedom, and the right to peaceful protest and dissent.
Even before Reed became aware of the complaints, the college had undertaken several proactive steps. Many of these efforts are now formalized or extended through the agreement, including
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reaffirming that shared ancestry, ethnicity, national origin, and religion are protected categories within Reed’s harassment and discrimination policies;
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reaffirming that Reed condemns antisemitism and all other forms of discrimination and harassment based on identity;
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reaffirming guidelines related to dissent to ensure alignment with Reed’s educational mission;
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conducting trainings, workshops, and other programming related to antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other areas of focus for the Presidential Council on Campus Climate;
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continuing to assess the campus climate to promote inclusivity and respond to areas of concern;
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implementing college-led efforts to foster dialogue across difference and to deepen understanding of the backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences of people with ties to Israel and Palestine; and
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continued academic engagement with international educational institutions, including those in Israel and Palestine.
The college is committed to addressing all discrimination concerns with seriousness, fairness, and care. Reed rejects antisemitism and discrimination in all forms, including conduct that targets individuals on the basis of Jewish identity, or perceived connections to Israel. We also acknowledge that no minoritized community is alone in experiencing fear, harm, or marginalization. This agreement is an opportunity to strengthen Reed’s ability to recognize and respond thoughtfully to all forms of discrimination. Hatred is often multifaceted and sometimes nuanced, and addressing it effectively requires sustained reflection, care, and action.
Consistent with our two core objectives—protecting Reed’s academic mission and fostering a campus environment that is welcoming to all—the college is also undertaking several additional actions, including
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appointing a coordinator responsible for overseeing Title VI compliance, including ensuring adequate and consistent response to complaints of discrimination or harassment related to antisemitism and/or Islamophobia grounded in shared ancestry, ethnicity, or national origin. Christy Martin, EdD, will serve in this role;
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instituting annual Title VI training for students, faculty, and staff, parallel to existing Title IX training, with specific attention to antisemitism and Islamophobia-based discrimination;
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engaging an independent consultant to assist Reed with the evaluation of its response to complaints of antisemitism and discrimination against other protected identities;
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clarifying existing identification policies and guidelines for Reed and non-Reed community members who visit our campus;
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consistent with OCR guidance, considering the working definition of antisemitism and its contemporary examples, as defined by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), to the extent useful as evidence of discriminatory intent when investigating or assessing complaints of antisemitic discrimination or harassment and providing a related DHM Policy Frequently Asked Questions; and
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implementing training led by subject-matter experts that is focused on recognizing and combating antisemitism and the IHRA’s working definition and its examples and Title VI obligations for members of the Bias Education & Response Team (BERT) and other responsible staff.
The college has launched a webpage that provides currently available information and includes a mechanism for submitting questions. Rather than responding individually, we will share updates informed by the questions we receive, making information equally accessible to all members of the community.
Antisemitism is a persistent and evolving form of hatred, and addressing it—alongside other forms of discrimination—requires sustained effort and collective responsibility. It requires attention, institutional accountability, and a willingness to listen, learn, and change. Ultimately, it will be up to our community to implement these commitments thoughtfully. We will work closely with student governance bodies, faculty, and staff to navigate the complexities ahead, and we are grateful for the care so many in our community bring to these difficult conversations.
Reed values disagreement and encourages rigorous conversation. Our community is strongest when we bring our many perspectives, experiences, and convictions into dialogue with seriousness, humility, and mutual respect. Maintaining this strength requires the commitment and participation of each of us.
Thank you for your continued engagement and support.
Sincerely,
Deborah Kamali ’85
Chair, Board of Trustees
Reed College
Audrey Bilger
President
Reed College