A Cornell University student who gained notoriety for refusing a job interview because he stated he did not want to work for a Jewish person claims he will be returning to the Ithaca, New York campus for the fall semester. Austin Franco, a rising junior, told the conservative nonprofit Accuracy in Media that the university has taken no disciplinary action against him.
Franco reportedly made the antisemitic remarks to representatives of an NYC startup via the job board site Handshake in June. He later told an Accuracy in Media investigator, posing as a fellow antisemite, that he believed his comments did not rise to the level of hate speech. "As of now, they said there’s not anything going on on their back end. I think it’s because I didn’t say anything that could be classified as hateful," Franco stated.
A spokesperson for Cornell confirmed that the incident was referred to the university's Office of Civil Rights for investigation but declined to comment on Franco's assertion that he would be returning to campus. The university previously issued a statement condemning antisemitism and all forms of hatred and discrimination, affirming its commitment to a safe and inclusive environment.
The university's response has drawn criticism from some Jewish students and leaders who view it as insufficiently severe. Rabbi Marc Schneier, president of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, called the situation alarmingly "normalized," questioning whether other forms of bigotry would be met with similar tolerance. Davian Gekman, a Cornell student, stated that freedom of speech does not preclude consequences and that if the administration cannot act, other bodies should.
In a video posted by Accuracy in Media, Franco acknowledged that his statement was "not the smartest thing to say" but felt the reaction was disproportionate to his words. He also claimed to have received approximately $25,000 in donations. Franco described antisemitism as "very widespread among the younger generation" and attributed his employment difficulties to "The Chosen People," asserting that his previous employer, which he identified as being run by a Jewish individual, also led to his dismissal. Students familiar with the situation indicated Franco previously worked at the kosher station in Cornell's dining hall.
Franco stated he met with Accuracy in Media after they claimed to offer financial support and post-graduate job opportunities, expressing disappointment in their "disingenuous" approach.