A university regent has ignited controversy following remarks suggesting that Jewish students should prioritize their concerns alongside those of other historically marginalized groups. Donald McMichael, a member of the board at UNLV, made these comments during a recent meeting discussing amendments to the university's anti-discrimination policy.
As reported by KTNV, after a contentious board session on June 7, McMichael downplayed the unique challenges faced by Jewish students seeking protection under the revised policy. (The policy now includes provisions safeguarding against discrimination based on shared ancestry, ethnic characteristics, or religious identity.)
Referring to Jewish students, McMichael remarked, "So ... because some Jewish students are frightened to come to campus - Get in line. There's others who have been here a lot longer and treated more poorly - and for you to come and say, "Omigosh. Just remember there was WW2 and then we had the Holocaust. And they [the Jews] were in concentration camps ... We still have concentration camps here in the United States. Just ask an Indian.""
His comments came amidst ongoing debates within the university community about inclusivity and support for marginalized groups.
The board meeting, which culminated in a narrow 7-6 vote to approve the amended policy, also saw discussions on a resolution condemning anti-Semitism, mirroring efforts at the federal level.
Following the meeting, UNLV Regents Chair Amy Carvalho and Vice Chair Jeffrey Downs issued a statement condemning remarks that trivialized the concerns of Jewish community members. "We want to make it abundantly clear that the Board of Regents takes the concerns of Jewish students, staff, and faculty very seriously," they affirmed.
However, in response to the controversy, a coalition comprising Jewish Nevada, the Anti-Defamation League, the Israeli American Council, and the UNLV Jewish Faculty and Staff Group issued a joint statement, calling McMichael's remarks "deeply troubling and completely unacceptable."
Despite calls for resignation or reprimand, McMichael, who lost his bid for re-election in a recent primary, will remain on the board until the end of the year.
This incident is the latest in a series of controversies involving board members' comments, underscoring ongoing tensions within the university community over issues of discrimination and equity.
Video credit: Danielle Yablonka and Jew Hate Database on Instagram.