The City University of New York (CUNY) needs to make significant policy changes to ensure it can address future reports of anti-Semitism and discrimination, according to a study released Tuesday by Judge Jonathan Lippman.
New York's Democratic governor, Kathy Hockle, asked Lippman to conduct an investigation in October 2023 following an increase in complaints following the Oct. 7 terror attacks in Israel. According to Lippman concluded that CUNY's policies on dealing with anti-Semitism and discrimination have not been updated in nearly a decade and are outdated and inconsistent with contemporary issues.
“As I stated in my report, I believe that CUNY's current policies and procedures for preventing and addressing anti-Semitism and discrimination need to be significantly overhauled and updated to address the levels of anti-Semitism and discrimination that currently exist on CUNY campuses,” Lippman wrote. “In that regard, while it was not my mission to opine on whether specific past acts at CUNY constituted anti-Semitism, I am compelled to point out that there has been an alarming recent rise in unacceptable anti-Semitic incidents targeting members of the CUNY community.”
CUNY faced violent anti-Israel protests during the spring semester, with agitators causing more than $3 million in damage at the City University of New York's Upper Manhattan campus. Protesters occupied the CUNY Graduate Center's library and attempted to rename it the “Al-Aqsa University Library.”
The NYPD expressed concern in August that CUNY was not prepared to handle protests this fall, with officers noting that they could be vastly outnumbered if protests erupted again.
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 23: New York State Governor Kathy Hochle speaks about gun violence in the United States at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) on September 23, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Alex Kent/Getty Images)
Lippman also suggested the university “establish a central victim advocacy office,” “help individuals in the CUNY community navigate the investigative process,” provide additional resources and work with law enforcement to increase campus security by establishing time, place and manner restrictions.
“My top priority as Governor has always been to ensure the safety and security of all New Yorkers, but right now too many students at our universities do not feel safe,” Hoekl said in a press release. “Let me be clear: we will not tolerate anti-Semitism or hateful threats of any kind. All New Yorkers should be free to live, learn and practice their faith without fear of harassment or violence.”
Hoekl's office and CUNY did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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