In a letter addressed to University President Michael Schill and Board of Trustees Chair Peter Barris, the remaining 11 members of the President's Advisory Committee on Preventing Antisemitism and Hate announced that the committee will cease its work. This decision comes in the wake of Wednesday's resignations by seven committee members, rendering the committee unable to function in its current form.

The letter, obtained by The Daily, expressed the members' disappointment in the resignations and cited the lack of consultation by President Schill regarding the agreement reached with the organizers of the pro-Palestinian encampment on Deering Meadow. Among the seven resigning members were Kellogg Professor Efraim Benmelech, one of the committee's co-chairs, and NU Hillel Executive Director Michael Simon.

Recognizing the importance of healing the community, the remaining committee members expressed their hope that the committee's goals could still be pursued through alternative means. They suggested the appointment of a new committee in the near future or incorporating the committee's responsibilities into an existing one.

University spokesperson Jon Yates reaffirmed the University's commitment to engaging with all committee members who have resigned and other Jewish members of the community, ensuring that the committee's objectives remain intact. The committee was established in November and commenced its work in January, originally consisting of 16 members including faculty, students, trustees, and administrators.

The letter from the remaining committee members addressed the claim made in the resignation letter that the committee could not reach a consensus on condemning recent antisemitism on campus. While the remaining members stated that they "abhor and reject antisemitism" and "stand against hate" in principle, they had not yet agreed on specific language.

The letter emphasized the committee's condemnation of behaviors that cross the line and affirmed their commitment to maintaining Northwestern as a place for robust debate while preventing the breeding of antisemitism and Islamophobia.

The draft message to the community, included in the letter, outlined the committee's dual commitment to free speech and combatting antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of hate on campus. It referenced recent instances of antisemitism and Islamophobia, including banners at the pro-Palestinian encampment depicting President Schill with devil horns and a Star of David with a red slash through it.

At the time of writing, the University has not responded to inquiries regarding the President's Office's next steps in light of these developments.

It remains to be seen how Northwestern University will address the disbanding of the President's Advisory Committee on Preventing Antisemitism and Hate and ensure the ongoing fight against hatred on campus.