Two Queens lawmakers have passed landmark legislation aimed at protecting college students from discrimination and harassment on campus, particularly in response to rising incidents of antisemitism.
Assembly Member Nily Rozic and State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky announced the unanimous, bipartisan passage of their bill (A5448B/S4559B) on Monday, June 9. The legislation requires all colleges and universities in New York to designate a Title VI Coordinator to oversee civil rights compliance and address complaints related to race, color, and national origin.
The bill now heads to Gov. Kathy Hochul for approval.
Rozic, who represents Assembly District 25, which encompasses the neighborhoods of Flushing, Queensboro Hill, Hillcrest, Fresh Meadows, Oakland Gardens, Bayside, and Douglaston, and Stavisky, who represents Senate District 11, introduced the legislation following an increase in discrimination targeting Jewish students and other marginalized groups on college campuses.
The Title VI Coordinator would be responsible for enforcing federal civil rights protections under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and applicable state laws. The legislation also calls on the New York State Division of Human Rights to develop training programs to support these coordinators.
“In recent years, we have seen a troubling rise in campus bias and harassment that threatens the safe, inclusive environment our students deserve—and New York must confront that without equivocation or hesitation,” Rozic said. “I am grateful to Senator Stavisky for her partnership, and urge Governor Hochul to stand with us by signing this bill into law.”
Stavisky added that the measure builds upon legislation she sponsored in 2022 requiring colleges and universities to report hate crimes on their websites.
“The rise of antisemitism and other forms of hate on college campuses must end,” Stavisky said. “Last year, the American Jewish Committee reported that 35% of Jewish students were subjected to various forms of antisemitism.”
The legislation also comes at a critical time: 60 colleges and universities across the United States — including eight in New York — are currently under federal investigation for antisemitic discrimination and harassment. In March, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights notified the institutions of potential enforcement actions for failing to meet their obligations under Title VI.
Stavisky urged Hochul to sign the bill, saying it would “send a strong message that hate, in all its ugly forms, has no place on college campuses—or anywhere.”
The legislation has drawn widespread support from Jewish advocacy organizations.
“UJA-Federation of New York thanks Assembly Member Rozic and Senator Stavisky for their leadership and efforts in getting this timely and critical bill passed,” said Eric S. Goldstein, CEO of the UJA-Federation of New York. “With a surge in antisemitism, Jewish students have faced unacceptable discrimination and hate at school. This bill creates a safer, more inclusive learning environment for all students.”
Josh Kramer, director of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) New York, said the legislation will help break down barriers that prevent students from reporting antisemitic incidents.
“Across New York, Jewish students are facing harassment, intimidation, and silence,” Kramer said. “The passage of Senator Toby Stavisky and Assembly Member Nily Rozic’s Title VI Coordinator bill by the New York State Legislature is a critical step toward changing that reality.”
Scott Richman, regional director for the New York and New Jersey Anti-Defamation League, also praised the bill as a key solution to protect students facing hate on campus.
“This bill offers a crucial solution to ensure that colleges and universities are properly resourced to address and combat discrimination and hate on campus,” Richman said. “We extend our thanks to Assemblywoman Rozic and Senator Stavisky for their leadership on this issue and their commitment to ensuring every college is a place where students are safe, respected, included, and free to learn without fear.”
