Overview
Pomona College conducted a climate survey of students, staff, and faculty in Spring 2026 in collaboration with Rankin Climate, LLC (now Interwoven Insights, LLC). The data collection was intended to aid the college in understanding the varied experiences of Pomona community members and enhance its efforts toward fostering a more inclusive and equitable campus environment.
Pomona College and Rankin Climate worked with NORC at The University of Chicago to include additional survey questions designed to assess antisemitism and other forms of shared ancestry discrimination on campus. The college also planned for additional analyses of existing survey questions to capture experiences of both Jewish and Muslim or Middle Eastern/North African respondents. This executive summary contains the results of those analyses.
These additional analyses were undertaken as part of Pomona College's broader efforts to understand and address concerns related to antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of shared ancestry discrimination. The findings also inform the College's commitments under its Resolution Agreement with the Anti Defamation League, the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, and Hillel International to support a campus environment where all students can learn, work, and participate fully in campus life.
Summary of Findings
Jewish and MENA/Muslim respondents were not more likely to experience or observe exclusionary conduct, compared to non-Jewish and non-MENA/Muslim respondents. However Jewish respondents tended to report “religious/spiritual views or practices” and “shared ancestry” as the basis for the exclusionary conduct more often than non-Jewish respondents.
Black, Jewish, and MENA/Muslim respondents were less likely to perceive feeling safe from harassment or discrimination.
Sizeable minorities of Jewish and MENA/Muslim respondents expressed concerns about online harassment or felt the need to hide their identity on campus.
Respondent Demographics
A total of 1,259 Pomona students, staff, and faculty responded to the survey, for an estimated response rate of 45%. Of those respondents, the majority, 51% were students. Respondents were asked a series of demographic questions, including questions about race/ethnicity and religion. For the purposes of these analyses, Jewish respondents were defined as those who identified either their race/ethnicity or their religious affiliation as Jewish, N = 70. Muslim or Middle Eastern/North African (“MENA/Muslim”) were those who identified their race/ethnicity as Middle Eastern/North African, or their religious affiliation as Muslim, N = 20. For several sets of analyses, results for Jewish or MENA/Muslim respondents are shown alongside responses from other racial/ethnic groups for comparative/contextual purposes. Because of the way Jewish and MENA/Muslim respondents were defined, some individuals' responses may also appear with other racial/ethnic groups (e.g. Multiracial).
Responses
Experience/observation of exclusionary conduct
Among all respondents, 236 out of 1065 (22%) indicated that they had personally experienced exclusionary conduct. Among Jewish respondents, 16 out of 69 (23%) indicated they had experienced exclusionary conduct. Among MENA or Muslim respondents, 7 out of 19 (37%) indicated they had experienced exclusionary conduct.
Among all respondents, 249 out of 915 (27%) indicated that they had observed exclusionary conduct directed at another person or group. Among Jewish respondents, 20 out of 65 (31%) indicated they had observed exclusionary conduct directed at another person or group. Among MENA/Muslim respondents, 8 out of 19 (42%) indicated they had observed exclusionary conduct directed at another person or group. Among the groups shown below, there were no significant differences in the likelihood of experiencing or observing exclusionary conduct.
In the past 12 months, have you personally experienced any exclusionary (e.g., shunning, ignoring), intimidating, offensive, and/or hostile (e.g., bullying, harassing) conduct that has interfered with your ability to learn, live, or work at Pomona?
- All Respondents: 22% (236 out of 1,065)
- Asian: 17% (20 out of 117)
- Black: 29% (16 out of 56)
- Latina/o/e: 26% (45 out of 171)
- Multiracial: 17% (18 out of 108)
- White: 17% (43 out of 246)
- Jewish: 23% (16 out of 69)
- MENA or Muslim: 37% (7 out of 19)
Within the past 12 months, have you OBSERVED any conduct directed toward a person or group of people on campus that you believe created an exclusionary (e.g., shunning, ignoring), intimidating, offensive, and/or hostile (e.g., bullying, harassing) learning, living, or working environment at Pomona?
- All Respondents: 27% (249 out of 915)
- Asian: 31% (35 out of 112)
- Black: 32% (17 out of 53)
- Latina/o/e: 22% (34 out of 158)
- Multiracial: 21% (21 out of 101)
- White: 25% (60 out of 237)
- Jewish: 31% (20 out of 65)
- MENA or Muslim: 42% (8 out of 19)
Basis for experienced exclusionary conduct
Among all respondents, 231 out of the 236 who experienced exclusionary conduct provided one or more perceived bases for that conduct. The most commonly perceived bases were attributed to the respondent’s position status (30%) or employment hierarchy (27%). Among respondents who identified as Jewish, 15 out of the 16 who experienced exclusionary conduct provided one or more perceived bases for that conduct. The most commonly perceived bases were attributed to the respondent’s religious/spiritual views or practices, position status, or political views (33%). Data for MENA/Muslim are not shown because fewer than 10 individuals provided responses to this question.
Basis for Experienced Exclusionary Conduct - Most Frequent Responses Only
All Respondents
- Position status: 30% (69 out of 231)
- Employment hierarchy: 27% (62 out of 231)
- Political views: 18% (41 out of 231)
- Ethnicity: 18% (41 out of 231)
- Racial identity: 16% (36 out of 231)
Respondents Who Identified as Jewish
- Religious/spiritual views or practices: 33% (5 out of 15)
- Position status: 33% (5 out of 15)
- Political views: 33% (5 out of 15)
- Employment hierarchy: 20% (3 out of 15)
Description of the experienced exclusionary conduct
Among all respondents 219 out of the 236 who experienced exclusionary conduct provided a description of the conduct. The most frequent descriptions were of being “ignored or excluded” (48%) or being “isolated or left out” (40%). Respondents who identified as Jewish also provided these as the most common descriptions, along with being “silenced.” Data for MENA/Muslim respondents are not shown because fewer than 10 individuals provided responses to this question.
How Would You Describe What Happened? (in the context of the experienced exclusionary conduct) - Most Frequent Responses Only
All Respondents
- I was ignored or excluded: 48% (n = 105 out of 219)
- I was isolated or left out: 40% (n = 88 out of 219)
- I was intimidated/bullied: 31% (n = 68 out of 219)
- I was silenced: 28% (n = 61 out of 219)
- I was the target of workplace incivility: 24% (n = 52 out of 219)
- I was the target of derogatory verbal remarks: 24% (n = 52 out of 219)
Respondents Who Identified as Jewish
- I was ignored or excluded: 57% (n = 8 out of 14)
- I was silenced: 50% (n = 7 out of 14)
- I was isolated or left out: 50% (n = 7 out of 14)
- I was the target of derogatory verbal remarks: 36% (n = 5 out of 14)
- I was the target of workplace incivility: 36% (n = 5 out of 14)
- I felt others staring at me: 29% (n = 4 out of 14)
- An experience not listed above (Please specify): 29% (n = 4 out of 14)
- I received derogatory written comments: 21% (n = 3 out of 14)
- I received derogatory emails, phone calls, or text messages: 21% (n = 3 out of 14)
Basis for observed exclusionary conduct
Among all respondents, 223 out of the 249 who observed exclusionary conduct provided one or more perceived bases for that conduct. The most common perceived basis was attributed to the target’s political views (36%). Among respondents who identified as Jewish, 17 out of the 20 who observed exclusionary conduct provided one or more perceived bases for that conduct. The most common perceived basis was attributed to the target’s shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics (35%). Data for MENA/Muslim observers are not shown because fewer than 10 individuals provided responses to this question.
Basis for Observed Exclusionary Conduct - Most Frequent Responses Only
All Respondents
- Political views: 36% (n = 80 out of 223)
- Racial identity: 19% (n = 42 out of 223)
- Employment hierarchy: 18% (n = 41 out of 223)
- Ethnicity: 17% (n = 39 out of 223)
- Position (e.g., staff, faculty, student): 16% (n = 36 out of 223)
- Philosophical views: 16% (n = 36 out of 223)
- National or ethnic origin: 15% (n = 34 out of 223)
Respondents Who Identified as Jewish
- Shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics: 35% (n = 6 out of 17)
- Political views: 35% (n = 6 out of 17)
- Religious/spiritual views or practices: 24% (n = 4 out of 17)
- Philosophical views: 24% (n = 4 out of 17)
Description of Observed Exclusionary Conduct
Among all respondents, 208 out of the 249 who observed exclusionary conduct provided a description of the observed conduct. The most common observation was that the target was intimidated or bullied (35%). This was also the most frequent response among observers who identified as Jewish. Data for MENA/Muslim observers are not shown because fewer than 10 individuals provided responses to this question.
Which of the Following Did You Observe Because of the Target's Identity? (in the context of the observed exclusionary conduct) - Most Frequent Responses Only
All Respondents
- Person was intimidated/bullied: 35% (n = 73 out of 208)
- Person was isolated or left out: 33% (n = 69 out of 208)
- Person was ignored or excluded: 30% (n = 62 out of 208)
- Derogatory verbal remarks: 27% (n = 56 out of 208)
- Person was silenced: 26% (n = 54 out of 208)
Respondents Who Identified as Jewish
- Person was intimidated/bullied: 38% (n = 6 out of 16)
- Person was ignored or excluded: 31% (n = 5 out of 16)
- Person was isolated or left out: 31% (n = 5 out of 16)
- Derogatory written comments: 19% (n = 3 out of 16)
- Person was the target of workplace incivility: 19% (n = 3 out of 16)
- Person was silenced: 19% (n = 3 out of 16)
- Derogatory verbal remarks: 19% (n = 3 out of 16)
Sense of safety
The following figures display the percentages of respondents who either agreed or strongly agreed with four statements regarding their perceived safety from harassment and discrimination on or around campus. Responses are shown for different demographic groups.
Significantly fewer MENA/Muslim respondents agreed/strongly agreed with the statement, “I feel safe from harassment and discrimination based on my nation of origin,” compared to non-MENA/Muslim respondents. Significantly more White respondents agreed/strongly agreed with the statement, compared to non-White respondents.
On or around this campus, I feel safe from harassment and discrimination based on my nation of origin.
- All Respondents: 82% (744 out of 910)
- Asian: 83% (91 out of 110)
- Black: 75% (40 out of 53)
- Latina/o/e: 75% (114 out of 153)
- Multiracial: 86% (87 out of 101)
- White: 95% (228 out of 240)
- Jewish: 82% (53 out of 65)
- MENA or Muslim: 37% (7 out of 19)
Significantly fewer Black, Jewish, and MENA/Muslim respondents agreed/strongly agreed with the statement, “I feel safe from harassment and discrimination based on my shared ancestry,” compared to non-Black, non-Jewish and non-MENA/Muslim respondents. Significantly more Asian and White respondents agreed/strongly agreed with the statement, compared to non-Asian and non-White respondents.
On or around this campus, I feel safe from harassment and discrimination based on my shared ancestry.
- All Respondents: 78% (711 out of 907)
- Asian: 87% (95 out of 109)
- Black: 67% (36 out of 54)
- Latina/o/e: 72% (111 out of 154)
- Multiracial: 80% (80 out of 100)
- White: 93% (222 out of 240)
- Jewish: 60% (39 out of 65)
- MENA or Muslim: 42% (8 out of 19)
Significantly fewer Black and MENA/Muslim respondents agreed/strongly agreed with the statement, “I feel safe from harassment and discrimination based on my skin color,” compared to non-Black or non-MENA/Muslim respondents. Significantly more White respondents agreed/strongly agreed with the statement, compared to non-White respondents.
On or around this campus, I feel safe from harassment and discrimination based on my skin color.
- All Respondents: 81% (734 out of 911)
- Asian: 86% (94 out of 109)
- Black: 57% (30 out of 53)
- Latina/o/e: 78% (119 out of 153)
- Multiracial: 81% (83 out of 102)
- White: 92% (221 out of 241)
- Jewish: 86% (56 out of 65)
- MENA or Muslim: 58% (11 out of 19)
Significantly fewer Black and MENA/Muslim respondents agreed/strongly agreed with the statement, “I feel safe from harassment and discrimination based on my race,” compared to non-Black or non-MENA/Muslim respondents. Significantly more White respondents agreed/strongly agreed with the statement, compared to non-White respondents.
On or around this campus, I feel safe from harassment and discrimination based on my race.
- All Respondents: 79% (725 out of 913)
- Asian: 83% (90 out of 108)
- Black: 59% (32 out of 54)
- Latina/o/e: 77% (118 out of 154)
- Multiracial: 77% (79 out of 102)
- White: 92% (221 out of 241)
- Jewish: 85% (55 out of 65)
- MENA or Muslim: 47% (9 out of 19)
Perceptions of Pomona’s Title VI reporting process
Overall, 69% of respondents indicated knowledge of how to report a bias incident or Title VI violation. There were no significant differences between the groups shown.
Do you know how to report a bias incident or Title VI violation if one occurs?
- All Respondents: 69% (613 out of 884)
- Asian: 69% (72 out of 105)
- Black: 69% (37 out of 54)
- Latina/o/e: 67% (102 out of 153)
- Multiracial: 75% (76 out of 101)
- White: 69% (157 out of 229)
- Jewish: 76% (48 out of 63)
- MENA or Muslim: 61% (11 out of 18)
Respondents indicated their agreement with a series of statements about Pomona’s likely response to a reported bias incident of Title VI violation. Percentages indicate those who agreed or strongly agreed with each statement.
If someone were to report a bias incident or Title VI violation to Pomona, to what extent do you agree or disagree that Pomona would…
- … maintain the privacy of the person making the report: 77% (n = 893)
- ... take the report seriously: 75% (n = 898)
- ... take steps to protect the safety of the person making the report: 73% (n = 889)
- ... do its best to honor the request of the person about how to go forward with the case: 70% (n = 890)
- ... support the person making the report: 69% (n = 883)
- ... provide supportive measures to support the person (e.g., academic, housing, safety): 66% (n = 876)
- ... handle the report fairly: 62% (n = 879)
- ... take action to address factors that may have led to the harassment or discrimination: 60% (n = 878)
- ... have a hard time supporting the person who made the report: 24% (n = 871)
- ... label the person making the report a troublemaker: 19% (n = 874)
- ... punish the person who made the report: 12% (n = 870)
There were no significant differences between Jewish and non-Jewish respondents in the likelihood of agreeing with any of the 11 statements. Although not statistically significant, MENA/Muslim individuals were less likely to respond positively to each of the statements, compared to non-MENA/Muslim individuals.
Personal experiences based on shared ancestry, or religious affiliation
To better understand their experiences, respondents who identified as Jewish or as either Muslim or of Middle Eastern/North African ancestry were asked a series of additional questions.
A small majority of Jewish respondents agreed/strongly agreed that they felt safe on campus as a Jew (55%). However 32% of Jewish respondents agreed/strongly agreed that they felt a need to hide their Jewish identity on campus, and 32% agreed/strongly agreed that they were concerned with their safety due to actual or perceived support of Israel. Among Jewish employees, 36% agreed/strongly agreed that they were concerned with being penalized professionally due to actual or perceived support of Israel.
All Jewish Respondents
- I feel safe on campus as a Jew: 55% (36 out of 66)
- I have felt a need to hide my Jewish identity on campus (e.g., choosing not to mention I am Jewish, or abstaining from wearing visibly Jewish jewelry or apparel): 32% (21 out of 66)
- I am concerned about my safety because of my actual or perceived support of Israel as a Jew: 32% (21 out of 66)
- I am concerned about being harassed on line by members of the campus community because I am Jewish: 23% (15 out of 66)
Jewish Student Respondents
- I am concerned about being penalized by professors because of my actual or perceived support of Israel: 21% (7 out of 33)
- I am concerned about being penalized by professors because I am Jewish: 15% (5 out of 33)
Jewish Staff and Faculty Respondents
- I am concerned about being penalized professionally because of my actual or perceived support of Israel: 36% (12 out of 33)
- I am concerned about being penalized professionally because I am Jewish: 21% (7 out of 33)
Only a quarter of MENA/Muslim respondents agreed/strongly agreed that they felt safe on campus (26%). Close to half (47%) agreed/strongly agreed they were concerned about being harassed online, and 42% agreed/strongly agreed they felt the need to hide their identity on campus. Among student respondents, less than a quarter (23%) agreed/strongly agreed they were concerned about being penalized by professors. Responses from MENA/Muslim employees to an employee-specific question are not shown because there were fewer than 10 MENA/Muslim employees who responded to the survey.
All MENA/Muslim Respondents
- I am concerned about being harassed on line by members of the campus community because I am Muslim or of Middle Eastern/North African ancestry: 47% (9 out of 19)
- I have felt a need to hide my Muslim or Middle Eastern/North African identity on campus (e.g., choosing not to mention I am Muslim or MENA, or abstaining from wearing visibly Muslim or MENA jewelry or apparel): 42% (8 out of 19)
- I feel safe on campus as a Muslim or person of Middle Eastern/North African ancestry: 26% (5 out of 19)
MENA/Muslim Student Respondents
- I am concerned about being penalized by professors because I am Muslim or of Middle Eastern/North African ancestry: 23% (3 out of 13)