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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.

Harvard Prevails as Court Backs University’s Defense

Harvard’s attorneys countered that while the alumni’s concerns were “impassioned,” they did not meet the legal threshold for standing. The court agreed, concluding that past students cannot retroactively challenge the university’s policies.

The plaintiffs maintained that Harvard’s commitments to inclusion and antisemitism prevention should not have ended upon their graduation. However, the judge’s ruling effectively shut down their claims, leaving them with no legal recourse.

Parallel Lawsuits See Mixed Results

Harvard has faced multiple legal challenges over its response to antisemitism, with mixed outcomes. Last month, the university settled parts of two similar lawsuits filed by student groups, agreeing to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism and increase training on campus. The settlement did not include an admission of wrongdoing, and monetary terms were undisclosed.

Meanwhile, a separate lawsuit filed by recent graduate Alexander Kestenbaum and Students Against Antisemitism Inc. survived Harvard’s dismissal efforts. In a sharp rebuke, U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns described the university’s response to antisemitic incidents as “at best, indecisive, vacillating and at times, internally contradictory.”

Harvard Defends Commitment to Jewish Community

Harvard spokesperson Jason Newton responded to the ruling, stating that the university remains dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment.

“We are committed to ensuring our Jewish community is embraced, respected, and can thrive at Harvard, and to our efforts to confront antisemitism and all forms of hate,” Newton said.

Legal representatives for the alumni were not immediately available for comment.

Case Information

• Plaintiffs: Represented by Robert J. Tolchin of The Berkman Law Office LLC
• Defendants: Represented by Alexandra Arnold, Daniel J. Cloherty, and Victoria L. Steinberg of Cloherty & Steinberg LLP
• Case: Bauer et al. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College et al.
• Court: U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts (Case No. 1:24-cv-10404)