Cornell University Cancels Classes Over Antisemitic Threats
The Facts
Cornell University has canceled its Friday classes due to a state of "extraordinary stress" on campus, after a student was federally charged with making antisemitic threats.
In an email to students and staff, the University said that "faculty and staff will be excused from work, except for employees who provide essential services."
The Spin
Narrative A
While Dai's threats have turned out to be unsubstantiated, the University is within its rights to protect students' emotional well-being from anyone who spreads antisemitic threats of violence to harm, kill, or stoke fear and anxiety throughout its campus community.
Narrative B
Cornell should have done more to protect its Jewish students, who comprise at least 22% of the student body. Ignoring that antizionism is inherently linked to antisemitism is a naive and irresponsible oversight of the university's administrators. If a different minority were threatened with the same type of bigotry and discrimination, Cornell would likely have responded more seriously.
