In a landmark new survey conducted by Schoen Cooperman Research in partnership with the Israel on Campus Coalition, about two-thirds of U.S adults and most college students approve of the Trump administration’s choice to cut federal funding to colleges and universities that fail to respond adequately to Jew hatred on campus.
The survey, drawing on responses from 1,000 U.S adults and 450 college students taken between March 21 and 24, reveals that 66 percent of U.S adults back the funding cut. Among college students, 56 percent support the decision, indicating a major shift in public opinion amid growing calls for greater accountability from higher education institutions over antisemitic incidents.
Support for the funding cut comes at a time of heightened tension on campuses, as many institutions grapple with violent pro-Palestinian protests and accusations that they have allowed Jew-hatred to proliferate unchecked. In recent years, several elite schools have been under fire for their inaction in protecting Jewish students. Critics claim that when colleges neglect to address such incidents, they not only fail their students but also risk inciting further violence and hatred.
“The American public has sent a clear message: Universities must be held accountable for failing to protect Jewish students from discrimination and harassment,” said Jacob Baime, CEO of the Israel on Campus Coalition. Baime stressed that a safe educational environment requires swift and decisive action, adding that administrators must move beyond empty promises to implement effective measures that prevent Jew-hatred.
The survey results further underscore concern among Jewish students. More than 87 percent of respondents fear that anti-Israel protests and petitions to boycott the state could serve as catalysts for hate crimes and campus violence against Jewish students. The data comes in the wake of violent protests across various campuses that disrupted academic life and have strained community relations.
In response to the mounting evidence of campus antisemitism, the Trump administration has pursued aggressive policies, including cutting billions of dollars in federal funding from institutions that fall short of its demands to safeguard Jewish students. This policy move has been hailed by many supporters of Israel who argue that federal resources should not be used to protect institutions that harbor hate.
As campuses become battlegrounds for ideological struggles, this survey serves as a crucial reminder of the central role federal oversight can play in shaping safe and respectful academic environments. With the funding cut now a reality, all eyes are on college administrators as they work to restore trust, ensure security for Jewish students, and defend academic freedom while addressing the threat of Jew-hatred on campus.