18 | MAY 30 • 2024 

PARENTS’ CONCERNS
In the massive email letter campaign 
mentioned by Hubbard, parents of 
Jewish students expressed anger and 
frustration that this year was tainted 
by numerous examples from anti-Israel 
demonstrations that have endangered 
the physical and mental well-being of 
Jewish studnts, those who disagree with 
the protesters, or those who just want to 
learn and earn their degrees. 
The letter implored the U-M admin-
istration to take back control of its 
campus from the “pro-Palestinian and 
anarchistic demonstrators.” 
It stated: “We continue to be disap-
pointed in the University of Michigan’s 
failure to protect Jewish students and 
students of all faiths from the antisemit-
ic harassment and intimidation on your 
campus. While many respected univer-
sities are dismantling disruptive pro-
Hamas encampments, refusing to allow 
protestors to interfere in the learning 
process, and staunchly condemning 
antisemitic chants and slurs — you feign 

your commitment to the protection, 
well-being and freedom from discrimi-
nation of your students. Too often, you 
say that you are dedicated to ensuring 
the safety of all Michigan students, yet 
your inaction and fear of standing up to 
bullies speaks volumes.” 
The email cautioned the Board of 
Regents not to be lulled into compla-
cency by the quiet of summer, and to 
recall the months of disruption of class-
es and graduation ceremonies with calls 
of “Intifada Revolution” and “From the 
River to the Sea.” The email reviewed 
the many incidents deemed as hateful 
toward Jewish students throughout the 
year and asked when the university 
would clear the encampment, which 
rose on the Diag in April.
The email ended with a plea to the 
regents to enforce the university’s code 
of conduct and take back control of its 
campus from the pro-Palestinian anar-
chists. 
It read: “Enforce your code of con-
duct and applicable laws and protect the 

rights of all students to an education 
free from discrimination and harass-
ment, pursuant to Title VI. Follow the 
leads of prestigious schools and disman-
tle encampments; punish, suspend or 
expel students who violate your codes of 
conduct and campus rules; and prevent 
pro-Hamas protestors from taking over 
the university campus and spreading 
their hate in your classrooms.” 
Regarding the “overwhelming 
amount” of emails the regents have 
received, Hubbard released the follow-
ing statement to the JN in an email: 
“Hearing from students, parents and 
concerned citizens has been well 
received. Letters are an important (and 
helpful) way to communicate. No stu-
dent (anywhere) should have to experi-
ence intimidation, threats or fear. I feel 
strongly that we must make sure that 
isn’t happening. We know it has hap-
pened and we are working to fix this.” 

OTHER REGENTS TARGETED
Anti-Israel protesters also encroached 
on the property of Regent Jordan 
Acker’s Huntington Woods home. 
According to news reports, Acker was 
home with his wife and three children, 
still asleep on May 15 when anti-Israel 
demonstrators, their heads wrapped in 
keffiyehs, walked up to his front door 
and pinned their demands on his porch. 
Acker woke around 6 a.m. to alarming 
notifications. 
The JN reached out to Acker sev-
eral times, but he did not respond to 
requests to comment. 
After the disruption, Acker released 
the following on X: “Harassing UMich 
Regents by showing up at their homes 
in the middle of the night is unaccept-
able — and masking yourself in the pro-
cess is cowardly. Using fear and intimi-
dation — and plastering your demands 
on private residences — is not a form of 
peaceful protest.” 
To communicate with student pro-
testers, Acker for months invited stu-
dents to email him and meet for coffee. 
He has also taken to X, describing 
himself, like many American Jews, as 
a “devout two-stater” to resolve the 

OUR COMMUNITY

continued from page 17

Social media 
posts on the 
protest at Regent 
Hubbard’s home