NY governor mandates campus civil rights supervisors to combat antisemitism

Hochul signs bill sponsored by American-Israeli lawmaker and backed by Jewish groups that will require campuses to appoint Title VI coordinators

By Luke Tress

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26 August 2025, 7:38 pm

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Luke Tress is The Times of Israel's New York correspondent.

NEW YORK — New York State Governor Kathy Hochul on Tuesday signed off on a law that strengthens civil rights protections for Jews on campuses.

The bill is an amendment to the state Education Law and requires every college and university in the state to appoint a Title VI civil rights coordinator.

“By placing Title VI coordinators on all college campuses, New York is combating antisemitism and all forms of discrimination head-on,” Hochul said in a statement. “No one should fear for their safety while trying to get an education.”

Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race, color and national origin in entities that receive federal funding, such as universities. The law covers Jewish identity and has been widely used to combat antisemitism on campuses.

The Title VI coordinators will ensure that campuses are in compliance with the civil rights protections by overseeing adherence to the law, promoting equal access to university programs, providing training and resources, documenting and investigating complaints, and reporting on compliance.

The bill was sponsored in the State Assembly by Assemblymember Nily Rozic, an American-Israeli, and in the state senate by Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, earlier this year. Rozic and Stavisky are both Democrats from Queens.

The bill passed in the state assembly with overwhelming support in June.

“With incidents of discrimination and antisemitism on the rise, our students deserve campuses that are safe, inclusive, and accountable,” Rozic said in a Tuesday statement. “New York is leading in protecting the rights and safety of every student just in time for the start of the school year.”

Jewish groups — including the American Jewish Committee, the UJA-Federation of New York, the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, the Anti-Defamation League and StandWithUs — applauded the law’s passing on Tuesday.

The Asian American Federation and the Black advocacy groups, the NAACP and the New York Urban League also backed the law in Tuesday statements. The Black and Jewish groups also coordinated on a push to pass anti-masking legislation in New York last year.

Hochul’s signing of the law was the last step in its approval process and the measure will take effect in one year.

Anti-Israel activists protest outside Columbia University, January 21, 2025. (Luke Tress/Times of Israel)

Hochul signed the measure as the Trump administration cracks down on campus antisemitism. Leading Democrats in New York, such as Sen. Chuck Schumer, have accused the White House of weaponizing antisemitism to go after perceived foes in higher education, while Democrats have come under pressure to do more to combat antisemitism.

Some top universities in New York, including Columbia, New York University and the State University of New York public system, have already announced plans to appoint Title VI coordinators in the past year.

Hochul is a firm supporter of the state’s Jewish communities and of Israel, although she issued rare criticism of the Israeli government late last month in a call for humanitarian aid for Gaza.

In May, Hochul signed into law a measure aimed at combating masked crime in response to antisemitism and has taken other steps to counter anti-Israel activities on campuses.

Hochul is up for reelection in next year’s state gubernatorial race.

Rep. Elise Stefanik, a Republican from New York who has been a forceful opponent of campus antisemitism, has said she is considering a run for governor.