University DEI administrator FIRED over ‘antisemitic’ comments

The University of Michigan has fired a diversity administrator after she allegedly made antisemitic comments claiming Jewish students were “wealthy and privileged” and should not benefit from diversity programmes.

Rachel Dawson, who served as director of the university’s Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives, was dismissed on Tuesday following accusations stemming from remarks made at an academic conference in March.

The controversy centres on a conversation between Dawson and two professors at a diversity and equity conference in Philadelphia, where she allegedly stated that “the university is controlled by wealthy Jews”.

Prior to her dismissal, Dawson had led an office providing resources and support to underrepresented students, having previously worked for six years as managing director of the university’s academic medical centre.

According to documents obtained by multiple news outlets, Dawson allegedly told professors that her office “doesn’t work with Jews” because “they are all rich” and can take care of themselves.

The comments were made during a conversation with two professors, including Naomi Yavneh Klos of Loyola University New Orleans, who had approached Dawson to discuss the university’s approach to Jewish students.

Dawson was also accused of claiming that “Jewish people have no genetic DNA that would connect them to the land of Israel”, according to a complaint filed by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) of Michigan.

Dawson’s lawyer, Amanda Ghannam, has denied that her client made any of these statements or any antisemitic comments.

Following the allegations, the university hired external law firm Covington & Burling to investigate the claims after receiving a letter from ADL Michigan in August.

The law firm’s investigation concluded that whilst it was “not possible to determine with certainty whether Dawson made the exact remarks”, the “weight of the available evidence supports ADL Michigan’s report”.

Emails obtained by the New York Times suggest that university regent Mark Bernstein played a crucial role in Dawson’s dismissal.

The university had initially planned a minor punishment involving antisemitism training, according to the university’s vice president Jon Kinsey.

However, Bernstein wrote to university president Santa Ono expressing disgust at this approach, stating it “makes a mockery of your/our commitment to address antisemitism”.

Bernstein insisted that termination was “the only acceptable solution”.

Dawson’s lawyer has announced plans to pursue legal action against the university, claiming a violation of First Amendment rights.

“The university has clearly, blatantly violated Ms. Dawson’s First Amendment rights, and we will take appropriate legal action,” Ghannam said.

The attorney called it “deeply troubling” that the university would escalate to termination based on “one conversation in somebody’s private capacity”.

Ghannam criticised the university’s handling of the case, saying it was unprecedented to hire an external investigator for a lower-level administrator.

“My client is a black woman who was approached by two white women who became visibly angry with her when she didn’t agree with them,” Ghannam said.

The University of Michigan has declined to comment on the personnel matter.