Governor Kathy Hochul has signed new legislation requiring all colleges and universities in New York to appoint Title VI anti-discrimination coordinators. The move aims to address discrimination on campuses and ensure a safer environment for students, faculty, and staff.
The law mandates that every higher education institution designate a coordinator responsible for handling complaints related to discrimination based on race, color, or national origin as protected under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The New York State Division of Human Rights will develop training programs to help institutions comply with these requirements.
“By placing Title VI coordinators on all college campuses, New York is combating antisemitism and all forms of discrimination head-on,” Governor Hochul said. “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.”
The legislation follows several initiatives by the state government in recent years aimed at fostering inclusivity in higher education. In 2023, Governor Hochul launched the New York State Anti-Hate in Education Center to research and address campus discrimination. Other measures have included strengthening hate crime data collection, increasing security funding for vulnerable sites, establishing a domestic terrorism prevention unit, and reviewing university policies regarding discrimination.
CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez commented on the university system’s ongoing efforts: “CUNY remains committed to maintaining an educational environment where all students feel protected and respected. As part of this commitment, we have invested over $2 million to educate our community and combat hate and antisemitism, including making Title VI training mandatory across the system. We are grateful to Governor Hochul and the State Legislature for their shared dedication to protecting our students.”
Supporters of the bill include members of the state legislature as well as advocacy organizations representing various communities affected by campus discrimination. Legislators highlighted concerns about rising incidents of hate crimes and stressed the importance of clear reporting processes for students experiencing bias.
State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky stated: “I am delighted that the Governor is signing landmark legislation that we have passed to protect students from discrimination on our campuses. 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 Governor Hochul and her staff, Assemblywoman Nily Rozic, and advocates and student leaders for making an idea into a reality.”
Other lawmakers emphasized that appointing Title VI coordinators would give real oversight power so that rights guaranteed under federal law are enforced effectively.
State Senator Shelley B. Mayer said: “Every student, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, religion or any other characteristic, deserves a fair chance to succeed and to receive higher education without fear and intimidation. As our country faces increased instances of hate, particularly antisemitism, our colleges must take proactive measures to ensure everyone feels safe and welcome on campuses. The appointment of a designated Title VI Coordinator ensures that when violations occur students have clear points of contact and the colleges and universities have clear paths for corrective action, with a dedicated person responsible. This legislation reaffirms our commitment to dismantling barriers and ensuring personal security while attending colleges or universities in New York. I am deeply grateful to my colleagues Senator Toby Stavisky and Assembly Member Nily Rozic for carrying this legislation and Governor Kathy Hochul for signing it into law.”
Several advocacy groups welcomed the new law as an important step toward improving campus climate across New York’s public and private institutions.
NAACP New York State Conference Education Committee Chair Christine Waters said: “The NAACP New York State Conference thanks the Governor and the Legislature for their continued efforts to combat hate and discrimination on college campuses. The appointment of Title VI coordinators will assist in ensuring efficient resolution to traumatic incidences that are regularly experienced by college students of all backgrounds. We look forward to working with these coordinators to ensure every student is able to learn in an environment that is free of discrimination.”
SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr., leaders from Jewish community organizations such as UJA-Federation of New York CEO Eric S. Goldstein; American Jewish Committee New York Director Josh Kramer; Jewish Community Relations Council CEO Mark Treyger; Anti-Defamation League Regional Director Scott Richman; StandWithUs Northeast Executive Director Avi Posnick; Asian American Federation Executive Director Catherine Chen; as well as Assemblymembers Nily Rozic, Michaelle C. Solages, Karines Reyes, Judy Griffin, Sam Berger, Alex Bores—all expressed support through statements emphasizing both urgency due to rising reports of antisemitism or bias incidents statewide.
The Division of Human Rights will oversee implementation efforts alongside institutional leadership across public systems like CUNY (City University of New York) [https://www.cuny.edu/]—which has already mandated systemwide Title VI training—and SUNY (State University of New York).
New York officials say these steps set an example nationally amid concerns about civil rights protections on college campuses.
