Following recent state legislation, Murray State University introduced a new policy affirming non-discrimination protections for Jewish students.

On Jan. 12, Murray State students received an email outlining the new policy, which affirms equal opportunity protections for Jewish students and tasks the University with documenting reported acts of discrimination. This policy, which took effect Jan. 1, followed the signing of Kentucky Senate Joint Resolution 55, which mandated Kentucky universities to adopt policies combating antisemitism through June 30, 2028.

“Murray State University endorses the intent of all federal and state laws created to prohibit discrimination,” the email read. “Murray State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status, disability, or political or social viewpoint.”

According to the policy, the University’s Office of Equal Opportunity must inform students at the beginning of each semester of their rights to be free from discrimination and harassment, and how to file a report if they feel these rights have been violated. The office must also recognize Jewish groups as a community resource equal to all other religious groups on campus.

The policy allows the University to defund and disband any student group found to provide material support and resources to designated terrorist organizations, and report such conduct to law enforcement.

In accordance with SJR 55, the University will also collect all reports of antisemitic activity on campus, which will be sent to the Kentucky Council on Post Secondary Education. Such information is to be reported both on the council’s website and to the Legislative Research Commission.

The News spoke to University students regarding the new policy, several of whom expressed support for the University’s efforts to broaden student protections.

An anonymous sophomore graphic design major, said in the current divisive political atmosphere, policies like this to protect students are important.

“It’s definitely good in the time that we’re in politically, to be protecting a lot of these groups,” they said. “Because just a little bit of slack given … once you allow one thing to start happening, it opens the door for a lot worse to also worm its way through.”

Though the student said they didn’t know much about the new policy, during their time on campus, they have seen hateful and antisemitic rhetoric spread around campus, as well as hateful comments directed towards LGBTQ+ students. The sophomore said it’s important for colleges to provide a safe and inclusive environment for students, many of whom reside hours away from their families and homes.

Some students, however, are dissatisfied with the policy. Samuel Miller, a sophomore history major, said the new policy lacks concrete definitions for antisemitism and terrorist organizations. Though Miller said the University should work to protect its students to the full force of the law, the vague wording of this policy makes it hard to tell what students can be punished for.

“This policy does not protect people as it is too easy to abuse,” Miller said. “If this policy was a good-faith effort to defend students, every clause on it would be better written and defined.”