A Boston federal judge on Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit brought by Jewish Harvard alumni over the university’s handling of antisemitism on campus following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, ruling that the former students have no legal standing to challenge the school’s actions.
Alumni’s Claims Rejected as ‘Legally Uncognizable’
U.S. District Judge George A. O’Toole Jr. ruled that the 10 alumni, who attended Harvard decades ago, failed to demonstrate any direct harm from the school’s alleged administrative failures.
“The plaintiffs do not currently attend Harvard, nor are they employed by Harvard,” Judge O’Toole wrote. “They graduated many years before the central events referred to in the complaint. They are not themselves directly affected by Harvard’s recent administrative actions and/or omissions, and consequently they have no cognizable legal injury that could be redressed through this suit.”
The alumni had argued that Harvard “despicably failed” to address antisemitism on its campus, leaving them ashamed to associate with the university. They sought monetary restitution, claiming the school’s actions had diminished the value of their degrees and past donations. They also sought a court order requiring Harvard to implement stronger measures against antisemitism.
