NYC Gazette

The City University of New York (CUNY) Board of Trustees has announced the establishment of the Center for Inclusive Excellence and Belonging (CIEB) as part of its ongoing efforts to combat discrimination. The decision, made on Monday, aims to strengthen CUNY's initiatives to foster understanding among diverse communities by leveraging systemwide resources, reviewing and implementing policies related to discrimination and harassment, and overseeing training across CUNY’s 25 colleges. The Chancellor’s Office has been tasked with submitting a launch plan by October 1.

"The Board of Trustees of the City University of New York believes in the dignity of all human beings regardless of ethnicity, race, color, gender, national origin, religion and disabilities," said CUNY Board of Trustees Chairperson William C. Thompson Jr. "This Center for Inclusive Excellence and Belonging will centralize this work so there is consistency and accountability on all campuses to make sure students, faculty and staff are protected and respected. We intend to be a national leader in this space."

"In the last year, there has been a growing call on higher education to create more outlets for students to engage in fruitful and productive conversations about their differences," said CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez. "These conversations are critical to ending hate and building understanding. CUNY is answering that call by creating this new Center to consolidate our efforts to fight hate and improve dialogue. As one of the most diverse institutions in the nation, the University’s core mission is to provide an environment that is free from discrimination and hate."

The Center will facilitate compliance with actions CUNY committed to in a voluntary resolution agreement signed with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights covering nine Title VI complaints. As part of this agreement, CUNY will conduct additional training for those investigating discrimination complaints, create a campus climate survey for students, and implement other measures.

CUNY continues working with Judge Jonathan Lippman on an independent third-party review of its policies related to antisemitism and discrimination. Chairperson Thompson expressed gratitude towards Judge Lippman for his advice.

The new center will operate out of the Central Office under an executive director reporting directly to the Chancellor. This initiative represents another facet in CUNY’s broader strategy against campus hate.

Over the past two years, CUNY has allocated $1.3 million towards anti-hate efforts through initiatives such as a multi-year Anti-Hate Initiative funded by $550,000 from the New York City Council. Additionally, $750,000 in state funding has been distributed as Campus Climate Support Grants addressing religious, racial, and ethnic bigotry.

In 2022, CUNY partnered with Hillel International’s Campus Climate Initiative at seven colleges within its system to conduct surveys and focus groups aimed at understanding Jewish student experiences on campus.

In 2023, Chancellor Matos Rodríguez established an Advisory Council on Jewish Life comprising prominent New York Jewish leaders who meet regularly with him to discuss enhancing Jewish life within the community.

Furthermore, this February saw unanimous approval from the Board of Trustees for adding four holidays—Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Lunar New Year, and Diwali—to the official school calendar.

Founded in 1847 as America’s first free public institution of higher education, today CUNY serves over 233,000 undergraduate and graduate students across its various colleges spread throughout New York City's five boroughs.

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