Jewish students at the City University of New York recalled horrific acts of anti-Semitism during a City Council hearing on Monday — when the school’s chancellor was questioned about how he handles hate on campus.
CUNY Chancellor Felix V. Matos Rodriguez was criticized by lawmakers for providing little detail about what actions he has taken since the public university was found guilty in an independent report. There is a need to make radical changes in our policies To combat the “alarming” number of anti-Semitic incidents.
“We want a CUNY that is safe and welcoming for all students. Those conversations become very challenging when that data doesn’t exist, or it exists, but it’s not being shared, or you’re not prepared with it,” said Council Member Eric Dinowitz (D-Bronx), High The chairman of the education committee scolded.
For example, Rodriguez was unable to state the number of complaints made by students or staff or whether any faculty members had been disciplined.
“This is completely unsatisfactory. Just paying lip service is not enough,” fumed Council Member Julie Menin (D-Manhattan), who also sits on the committee.
The report – commissioned by Gov. Kathy Hochul and conducted by former New York Chief Justice Jonathan Lipman – made 13 recommendations to CUNY, including regarding Improve your complaint system, Hiring practices and training of diversity officers and professors.
Other recommendations from the report released in September include collaborating with law enforcement and security professionals to make students feel safe and developing a clearer definition of anti-Semitism.
Students who testified at the hearing on Monday urged CUNY to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of anti-Semitism, which reads: “Anti-Semitism is a fixed belief about Jews, characterized by hatred toward Jews. can be expressed. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, Jewish community institutions, and religious facilities.
Students recalled the fear they felt Protests started on campus After Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
One student said, “They publicly labeled me an enabler of genocide because I invoked anti-Semitism in their protest.”
“I just want Jewish students to be treated with the same respect and dignity that any other student is.”
Another student, who was asked to take down a Star of David necklace on campus, said returning to school after a trip to Israel was “like a nightmare.”
“I understood that my safety at school could not be guaranteed.”
Rodriguez said plans to revamp the school’s complaint system are underway, and he is looking to speed up its implementation with an emergency procurement process for contracts.
He also pointed to other actions taken by the university system – which counts 25 campuses – including hiring private security officers, launching a case management system, student surveys and inclusion campaigns.
The Chancellor said that a “Freedom of Expression Working Group” would clarify the school’s policy on freedom of expression.
“Tensions and challenges arise, but we have rules and regulations to investigate and we do not hesitate to enforce them,” he said.
CUNY, which receives $975,381 in city funding and $2.1 billion from the state, has seen a rise in anti-Semitic incidents since the Hamas attack and the ensuing war in Gaza, including videos of anti-Israel protesters taking hostages by the terrorist group. Including taunting Jewish students about. On October 7, 2023.
Administrator at CUNY’s Baruch College was recently Blast students to tell them they “cannot guarantee their safety” If they go ahead with the event celebrating the Jewish New Year on September 26.
(TagstoTranslate)Metro(T)US News(T)Antisemitism(T)City Council(T)CUNY(T)Investigation
