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Office of the President

Jewish & Antisemitism Taskforce

Presidential Task Force on Creating a Thriving Campus Climate for Jewish Students and Combating Antisemitism

Context and Purpose

In alignment with the CSUSM Strategic Plan vision to drive intellectual engagement, innovation, and sustainability for a diverse global society, the Presidential Task Force on Creating a Thriving Campus Climate for Jewish Students and Combating Antisemitism (“Task Force”) is charged with examining the issues and opportunities that impact the engagement of Jewish students in CSUSM academic and student life. The Task Force will inform CSUSM’s ongoing commitments to belonging, nondiscrimination, and access to success for all students.

Group Charge & Role

Guided by CSUSM’s mission of student success, the Task Force affirms the university’s responsibility to ensure that Jewish students are welcomed, supported, and have equitable opportunities to thrive. The group will provide recommendations to the President to strengthen the university’s efforts in fostering an environment free from bias, where all students feel a sense of belonging, learn, and succeed. The group will also provide the President with a culminating report (by April 2027) summarizing efforts and outcomes.

Membership

The 18-month task force (through April 2027) will consist of administrators, faculty, staff, students, and community members, who will serve for the duration. Group members will attest to a commitment to working in partnership to improve the CSUSM experience for all students. The President will make appointments, and priority will be given to those with demonstrated expertise or experience with Jewish life.

The membership will be as follows:

  • Co-Chair: Dr. Sarah Villarreal, Chief of Staff (Administrator)
  • Co-Chair: Dr. Alison Scheer-Cohen, Professor and Department Chair, Speech-Language Pathology (Faculty)
  • Dr. Merryl Goldberg, Professor, Music Education (Faculty)
  • Eliana Levinson, Former President, Hillel of CSUSM (Alumnus)
  • Evan Newlander, Student and President, Hillel of CSUSM (Student)
  • TBD (Community)
  • Karen Parry, Chief Executive Officer, Hillel San Diego (Community)
  • Fabienne Perlov, Regional Director, Anti-Defamation League San Diego (Community)
  • Dr. Aswad Allen, Chief Diversity Officer (Administrator)
  • Dr. Norma Larios, Interim Dean of Students (Administrator)

Key Responsibilities

  1. Data & Insight Gathering
    • Recommend approaches to collect and review data on the experiences of Jewish students.
    • Propose ways to monitor progress toward fostering an environment free from bias, where all students belong, learn, and succeed.
  2. Campus Climate & Curriculum
    • Review campus policies for unintended barriers to academic or student life engagement for Jewish students.
    • Review and recommend improvements for practices to identify and respond to instances of antisemitism on campus.
    • With the goal of deepening understanding across the university community, recommend opportunities to bring awareness to and celebrate Jewish experiences and culture.
  3. Community Building & Sustainability
    • Recommend strategies to create a more welcoming environment for Jewish students.
    • Recommend long-term approaches for sustaining these efforts, ensuring they remain embedded in CSUSM’s culture and commitments