By Forum Staff
Governor Kathy Hochul Tuesday signed landmark legislation to require Title VI anti-discrimination coordinators on every New York college campus. Coordinators will work hand-in-hand with students, faculty, and staff to confront discrimination on campus, Hochul noted.
According to the administration, the State Division of Human Rights will develop training to ensure colleges and universities have the tools they need to uphold the protections of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VI prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin, including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics.
“By placing Title VI coordinators on all college campuses, New York is combating antisemitism and all forms of discrimination head-on. No one should fear for their safety while trying to get an education. It’s my top priority to ensure every New York student feels safe at school, and I will continue to take action against campus discrimination and use every tool at my disposal to eliminate hate and bias from our school communities,” Hochul said.
“I am delighted that the governor is signing landmark legislation that we have passed to protect students from discrimination on our campuses,” said State Sen. Toby Stavisky (D-Flushing), who sponsored the bill in the upper chamber. “At a time when we see a troubling rise in hate crimes, New York is taking a clear stand. Too many students’ experiencing discrimination do not know where to go for help or what protections they are entitled to, and everyone has a right to feel safe when they step onto college campuses. Dignity, safety and equal opportunity are not negotiable. I thank Gov. Hochul and her staff, Assemblywoman Nily Rozic, and advocates and student leaders for making an idea into a reality.”
Rozic (D-Flushing), the bill’s sponsor in the Assembly, added, “With incidents of discrimination and antisemitism on the rise, our students deserve campuses that are safe, inclusive, and accountable. Here, New York is leading in protecting the rights and safety of every student just in time for the start of the school year. Thank you Gov. Hochul for prioritizing this issue—her support here continues to shape this first-in-the-nation law. I’m also so grateful for Sen. Stavisky’s commitment on this critical legislation.”
State University of New York Chancellor John King Jr. said, “The safety of our students is paramount, and SUNY has consistently been at the forefront of this issue by rejecting antisemitism and other forms of discrimination and harassment, and by ensuring safe and inclusive campus climates. Our SUNY Board of Trustees has taken strong action to require all campuses to appoint a designated Title VI Coordinator to ensure compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In addition, SUNY requires all faculty and staff to receive Title VI training and, beginning in 2025-26, all student organization leaders at State-operated campuses will also be required to participate in Title VI training. We applaud Gov. Hochul and our State Legislature for placing a priority on this work and creating uniformity across our state.”
