(MIAMI)— PEN America today sharply criticized the DeSantis administration for “exploiting” concerns over antisemitism on campuses as cover to advance their campaign of intellectual repression. The state university system was told to flag syllabi and course materials for instances of antisemitism and report to the Board of Governors by Aug. 16.

“Once again, the DeSantis administration is exploiting concerns about antisemitism as cover to advance their campaign of intellectual repression,” said Katie Blankenship, director of PEN America Florida. “Mandating a keyword search by the state to detect ‘antisemitic material and/or anti-Israeli bias’ in professors’ syllabi is an appalling violation of academic freedom. Not only is this a blunt tool, but it will cast a broad chilling effect on professors as they attempt to teach in an already restrictive  environment.”

The State University System of Florida instructed leaders on 12 campuses last week to flag syllabi and course materials for “antisemitism and/or anti-Israel bias” by searching undergraduate and graduate syllabi for the following terms: Israel, Israeli, Palestine, Palestinian, Middle East, Zionism, Zionist, Judaism, Jewish, and Jews. Any syllabi including those terms, and all accompanying instructional materials, must be forwarded to the Board of Governors by August 16. Chancellor Ray Rodrigues instructed campuses to “flag all instances of either antisemitism or anti-Israeli bias” for his office but did not define either term or outline consequences for courses that included any alleged bias.

Blankenship said: “There have been legitimate concerns with racism, antisemitism, anti-Muslim hate, homophobia, and a whole host of bigotries on campuses,” Blankenship said. “This is not a serious solution and it will do little to help. If anything, we need tools that facilitate greater understanding, not directives to undermine academic freedom. Florida professors are already required to ensure that their classroom is not a hostile environment for students on the basis of their race, background, and identities. This repressive and unnecessary oversight risks professors censoring their own expertise in areas deemed unacceptable by the state of Florida.”

About PEN America

PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible. Learn more at PEN.org 

Contact: Suzanne Trimel, [email protected], (201) 247-5057