3 SUNY schools could face punishment over antisemitism claims

Three State University of New York schools are among 60 from across the U.S. that received letters from the Trump administration warning them of possible enforcement measures if found they violated the civil rights of Jewish students, a news release from the federal education departments said Monday.

SUNY Binghamton, Rockland and Purchase are among the colleges that were sent the letters, the release by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights said. Failure to protect Jewish students includes “uninterrupted access to campus facilities and educational opportunities” and is a violation of Title IV of the 1964 Civil Rights Act for not protecting which bars discrimination based on race, color, and national origin. National origin includes shared (Jewish) ancestry, the news release said. 

 The warning comes days after the Trump administration pulled federal funding from Columbia University for what they claim was failing to protect Jewish students during demonstrations last year. 

“SUNY has no tolerance for antisemitism and will continue to ensure that our campuses are safe and inclusive for Jewish students and free from all forms of discrimination and harassment,” a SUNY spokesperson said in an emailed statement to Newsday. “SUNY has frequently and consistently publicly condemned antisemitism, opposed BDS, and taken major steps to ensure compliance with all federal civil rights laws. The safety and security of our students is and always will be paramount.”

The schools, which also include American University, Boston University, George Washington University, University of Michigan, Ohio State, University of Tennessee and Yale University among others, are either being monitored or under investigation for Title VI violations relating to antisemitism, according to the release.

“The Department is deeply disappointed that Jewish students studying on elite U.S. campuses continue to fear for their safety amid the relentless antisemitic eruptions that have severely disrupted campus life for more than a year,” Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in the news release.

The SUNY statement said before the start of the fall term, all SUNY campuses were provided with “draft model policies for content-neutral time, place, and manner restrictions on protests; prohibitions on encampments; rules for placards and postings; and requirements that students, faculty, and staff carry identification.” 

It also said ongoing efforts include “clear, morally unambiguous statements including condemning Hamas’s horrific terrorist attack on Oct. 7; vowing to protect student safety; rejecting antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of bigotry and hatred; standing with Governor Hochul in rejecting BDS; and reiterating the responsibilities of all students, faculty, and staff to engage one another with respect even when they disagree.”  

On March 7 the Trump administration announced it was canceling $400 million to Columbia University for not stopping antisemitism on the Upper West Side campus. The administration also said grants and contracts at the school would also be cancelled. Over $5 billion in federal grants are being reviewed and $51 million in contracts are also being reconsidered.

In President Donald Trump’s first administration he issued an executive order in December 2019 to combat antisemitism, according to the news release. In January he signed a second executive order strengthening the measure.

Under the latest directive the Department of Education initiated investigations into five institutions of higher learning where antisemitism had been reported. The other schools were added because of complaints registered with the office for civil rights, the release said.

With AP