Many universities have been reluctant to embrace a definition that, among other things, considers some criticisms of Israel as antisemitic. The university’s decision was part of a lawsuit settlement.

The nation’s richest Ivy League university lost millions in fundraising dollars after drawing donor ire over antisemitism on campus. These settlements could be the first step to assuaging those concerns.

The definition, adopted by the the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance as well as more than 40 nations, says that certain kinds of criticism of Israel and Zionism can be antisemitic.

Harvard University will provide additional protections for Jewish students under a settlement announced on Tuesday that resolves two lawsuits accusing the Ivy League school of becoming a hotbed of rampant antisemitism.

Harvard University settled legal claims alleging the Ivy League school didn’t do enough to protect Jewish students against a wave of antisemitism on campus. As part of the settlements announced Tuesday,

We now have a Harvard standard that other colleges will strive to meet,’ a leading authority on antisemitism and civil rights in higher education

Harvard University has settled two lawsuits with Jewish groups accusing the school of fostering an antisemitic environment in the aftermath of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, as President Donald Trump retakes office with a promise to more heavily police universities for such cases.

A Harvard spokesperson said in the release that the school is committed to "ensuring our Jewish community is embraced, respected and can thrive."