New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced legislation on Tuesday to strengthen hate crime reporting and investigations on college campuses in the state.
“I want every single college to have to adopt and implement these programs so every single student when they leave the security of their home, feels just as secure on a college campus,” Governor Hochul said.
The bill mandates that any college that receives state aid would have to implement a plan to effectively investigate hate crimes.
Colleges have to inform incoming students about the procedures of how they investigate hate crimes.
They also would have to report any incidents of hate or bias that happen on campus on their websites.
The law applies to hate crimes of all kinds, but antisemitism is rising nationwide and college campuses are no exception.
“There have been instances where a swastika was drawn on a wall in a class building and it’s really disheartening to see something like that,” said SUNY Stony Brook student Ethan Gorinshteyn.
A 2021 study by the ADL found that one in three Jewish students experienced antisemitism on campus.
“Acts of antisemitism are going to be reported, that there are serious reporting mechanisms, and these are not going to just be washed away,” said Michael Cohen with the Simon Wiesenthal Center.
It was part of the governor’s announcement of $51 million in grants to strengthen safety and security measures at nonprofit, community-based organizations at risk of hate crimes or attacks because of their ideology, beliefs, or mission.
The funding is the largest amount ever available through the State’s Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes Grants, and for the first time, could be used to enhance an organization’s cybersecurity, the governor’s office said in a press release.
