EXCERPT:
YAKOBY: “Not only are tensions palpable, but there have also been materialized actions taken to intimidate and harm students. A bomb threat against Hillel, a swastika spray-painted, the Hillel and Chabad houses vandalized, a professor posting an armed wing of Hamas' logo on Facebook, a Jewish student accosted, 'Jews are Nazis' etched adjacent to Penn’s Jewish fraternity house. Why doesn’t the university hold the perpetrators of such acts accountable? Is the university fearful that they may offend those who wish to intimidate and harass their fellow students? Penn’s ambivalence fuels the crisis that has shattered my academic sanctuary. Policies meant to safeguard us have become hollow promises. And let us be clear, if they fail Jewish students today, tomorrow they will fail the rest of us. Nonetheless, I refuse to go back to 1939 when Jews had to hide their religious symbols and hide who they are due to intimidation and harassment of us. I used to think this was nonsense, fear-mongering, until I was made aware that Penn recommended to students 'not wear closing/accessories related to Judaism.' Hundreds of posters mocking the hostages featuring cows instead of humans adorned Penn's campus two weeks ago, while on my way to class I was greeted with chalk reading, '90% of pigs are gas chambered.' As a student, despite what my university says, I do not feel safe. Let me be clear. I do not feel safe. Luckily, there are policies in place to protect students from the heinous acts I described. Unluckily, the university seems to have no interest in upholding those very policies. It's time for the soul of our university to reclaim its integrity and it’s time for me and my fellow classmates to stop worrying for our lives. Thank you."