Florida lawmakers propose expansion of Jewish student safety initiative to seven state university campuses

Press release from Hillel at Florida State University

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Two Florida lawmakers are championing a proposal to expand a research-backed campus safety initiative to help Jewish students feel safer, more supported, and more comfortable expressing their identity at public and private universities statewide.

Sen. Alexis Calatayud, a Miami Republican, and Rep. Allison Tant, a Tallahassee Democrat, are supporting an expansion of Florida’s Jewish campus safety pilot from three universities to seven, extending its reach to an estimated 25,000-plus Jewish students across the Florida higher education system.

Launched in 2025 at the University of Florida, Florida State University, and the University of South Florida, the pilot paired physical security upgrades with a broader campus climate strategy led by Hillel International, including antisemitism education, strengthened relationships with university leaders, and enhanced incident response capabilities.The $1.3 million pilot also emphasized measurement, collecting and comparing data on campus experiences at participating universities versus campuses without the intervention.

The FY 2026–27 funding request, titled, “Florida Hillels Jewish Student Safety Initiative,” seeks $2.3 million in state funding to extend the model to four additional campuses: Florida International University, Florida Atlantic University, the University of Central Florida, and the University of Miami, alongside the original three universities.

Independent research during the pilot phase, conducted by Burson, found that while Florida’s campus environment is notably more favorable than the national picture,Jewish students face significant day-to-day challenges on campus. Their survey of Jewish college students on Florida campuses found:

• 47% experienced antisemitism on campus in the last 12 months, including being targeted, excluded, or harassed for their beliefs (compared with 83% nationally).
• 67% reported feeling uncomfortable expressing Jewish identity on campus.
• 56% knew Jewish students who avoided activities due to safety concerns.
• 32% witnessed Jewish students or staff being targeted or excluded.
• 25% said they felt very safe discussing religion or identity in class.

The proposed expansion includes building hardening and security enhancements, staff training and threat surveillance, staff and student training, cultural programming and curriculum resources to address antisemitism, dedicated campus and community liaisons, specialized counseling supports, and a longitudinal study to track student experiences, threats, and incidents over time.

“Florida doesn’t have to accept the national status quo on campus antisemitism. The pilot proved we can pair real security upgrades with the education and relationships that prevent incidents in the first place,” said Sen. Calatayud. “This project continues those efforts by scaling what works, measuring it honestly, and making sure Jewish students can show up on campus without looking over their shoulder.”

“We have learned that those who target Jews are more likely to threaten safety broadly. This initiative intercepts hate, strengthens trust across differences, and makes Florida the nation’s safest choice for Jewish students and their allies,” Rep. Tant said. “This initiative is about taking concrete steps – security, support, and accountability – and expanding them so more Florida campuses get the benefit of what we’ve learned.”

“The safety of Jewish students is our top priority–first, foremost, and always. Hillel is committed to building welcoming campus environments where Jewish students can fully express their identities,” said Adam Lehman, President and CEO of Hillel International. “The pilot showed what’s possible when we combine security, education, and community support – and we’re ready to bring that proven approach to more campuses across the state.”

“Jewish students — and all students — should be able to live and learn free from antisemitism and prejudice,” said Rabbi Jonah Zinn, Executive Director of the Schilit Hillel at the University of Florida. “The State of Florida’s investment establishes a statewide, data-driven framework to prevent antisemitism, measure campus climate, and ensure Jewish students are safe, supported, and able to thrive.”