Hillel Community Participation and Boundary Policy

Purpose

Hillel of San Diego’s priority is to create safe, welcoming, and inclusive spaces where Jewish students can explore, celebrate, and deepen their Jewish identity. While we value our relationships with community members and allies, our primary focus is on serving students. This policy clarifies participation guidelines for individuals who are not current students.

Scope

This policy applies to all Hillel programs, events, and spaces at Hillel of San Diego and its campus affiliates.

1. Definition of Participants

• Students: Currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate students at partner campuses.
• Community Members: Alumni, faculty, staff, parents, donors, and other guests not currently enrolled as students.
• Guests: Anyone attending by invitation or as a one-time visitor.

2. Event Access

• Student-Only Events: Programs designed specifically for students (e.g., Shabbat dinners, student leadership meetings, Jewish learning cohorts, Israel dialogue groups, wellness sessions, retreats) are closed to community members unless explicitly invited by Hillel staff.
• Community Events: Public events (e.g., lectures, large holiday gatherings, community service projects) may be open to the broader community at the discretion of Hillel staff.
• Hybrid Events: When both students and community members are present, staff will ensure a student-centered environment and monitor comfort levels.

3. Expectations for Conduct

All participants, including community members and guests, must:

• Treat students and staff with respect.
• Refrain from engaging in persistent or unwanted personal contact with students or staff.
• Avoid proselytizing, recruiting, or using Hillel events as a platform for self-promotion or other advocacy.
• Respect requests from Hillel staff regarding appropriate topics of conversation within event context if those conversations cause discomfort or disrupt student engagement.

4. Boundary and Access Management

Hillel reserves the right to:

• Limit or revoke participation of any individual whose behavior causes discomfort or interferes with our mission.
• Ask an individual to leave an event or space, either temporarily or permanently, at the discretion of Hillel staff or security.
• Communicate access decisions in writing when necessary to ensure clarity and fairness.

5. Reporting and Documentation

• Staff and students are encouraged to report any behavior that makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe to the CEO or a member of the senior team (Associate Executive Director, Community Relations Director, Advancement Director).
  • All reports will be shared with the CEO regardless of to whom it was initially reported.
• Reports will be documented, reviewed, and addressed promptly, with discretion and sensitivity.
• Patterns of boundary-crossing behavior may result in further action, including formal written notice restricting access to Hillel spaces or law enforcement involvement.

6. Enforcement and Follow-Up

Enforcement decisions are made by the CEO in consultation with relevant staff, campus partners, Hillel of San Diego security, and (when appropriate) law enforcement or university administration. Hillel prioritizes the physical and emotional safety of its students and staff at all times.

7. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure it continues to protect student-centered spaces while welcoming respectful community engagement.