Gov. Hochul pushes CUNY to overhaul policies following critical report
The report, led by former Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman, outlines 13 key recommendations to overhaul how CUNY addresses hate crimes and discrimination.
More Stories
A new report is urging significant changes to combat hate and antisemitism at City University of New York (CUNY) campuses, with Gov. Kathy Hochul calling for immediate action.
The findings come after a comprehensive review of the university system's current policies, which have been criticized as outdated and ineffective in handling discrimination.
The report, led by former Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman, outlines 13 key recommendations to overhaul how CUNY addresses hate crimes and discrimination. Lippman and his team interviewed over 300 people across multiple campuses, revealing serious gaps in the way complaints are managed. Among the primary suggestions is the creation of a centralized resource center to handle discrimination complaints and provide support to victims. Additionally, the report emphasizes the importance of implementing uniform policies across CUNY’s diverse campuses to ensure that all students feel safe and included.
Hochul commissioned the review in response to a surge in hate crimes following the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks in Israel last year. She praised the work of Judge Lippman and expressed her commitment to addressing the issue.
"I want to thank Judge Jonathan Lippman for his work to produce a comprehensive report on antisemitism and antidiscrimination policies at CUNY," she said. "I have directed CUNY to implement his 13 recommendations, which I believe will make a significant impact in preventing and addressing future incidents."
CUNY Chancellor Félix Matos Rodríguez also welcomed the findings, stating that the university is already taking steps to combat hate.
"We look forward to working on implementing Judge Lippman’s recommendations to build on our progress to create a more inclusive campus environment," Rodríguez said.
Hochul has directed CUNY to begin implementing these recommendations immediately and encourages all colleges and universities across New York State to follow suit in their own efforts to combat hate and discrimination.
