Late last month, with students having just arrived on campus, Governor Kathy Hochul met with representatives from over 200 colleges and universities across the state to affirm the importance of emergency plans relating to the monitoring and response to campus protests and other “potential threats.”
In an August 26 press release, Hochul said the virtual meeting was the culmination of a months-long effort to address “hate, bias, and antisemitism” in the wake of pro-Palestinian protests on campuses across the state.
“Public safety is my top priority, and as classes resume, it is essential that all students feel safe and are free from harm,” Hochul said. “Last spring, I directed college campuses to review and update their emergency response plans, and as tensions may be high as we start the academic year, I will continue to ensure all campus leaders and public safety officials have the resources they need to keep students safe.”
Last spring, the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) conducted reviews of statewide campus emergency response plans and held training sessions, while the New York State Police worked directly with colleges to enhance emergency planning. The training aligned with and informed by the Campus Planning Toolkit prepared by the U.S. Department of Education.
The efforts go back further than the campus protests last spring: Late last year, Hochul penned a letter to all colleges and universities in New York, affirming their obligation under New York State’s human rights law and Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act to provide an educational setting free of harassment and discrimination. The letter was sent following a December 2023 Congressional Hearing on Antisemitism where some university presidents were unable to definitively state whether calls for the genocide of Jews was a violation of codes of conduct, with some, like the University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill, attempting to draw a distinction between speech and conduct. Though she released a video attempting to clarify the university’s position, Magill, facing tremendous pressure from alumni and donors, stepped down from her role at Penn.
Back in New York, the governor’s press release included quotes from DHSES Commissioner Jackie Bray (“Hate and violence have no place on college campuses, where the peaceful exchange of thoughts and ideas should prevail.”), New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James (“No student should ever feel vulnerable at their place of education and together, with our partners in law enforcement, we are working to ensure that all people from every background are protected at college campuses.”) and SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. (“At SUNY, safety is paramount and we have been and remain fiercely committed to ensuring security, civil discourse, and inclusivity on our campuses.”
SUNY New Paltz was embroiled in protests last May, with a pro-Palestinian encampment broken up by New York State Police, who arrested 132 people. Of those, 74 were enrolled students, ten were alumni, two were college employees, one was a former employee, and 45 had no connection to the college. Most were charged with trespassing. The arrests were condemned by some faculty, local elected officials and members of the community.
Hudson Valley One sought an interview with SUNY New Paltz President Darrell Wheeler, about Hochul’s campus safety directive, but was instead provided by Andrew Bruso, executive director of communication, with a statement from the university which affirms support for the governor’s efforts insofar as they reflect an “inclusive learning environment” for all students.
“SUNY New Paltz is working to ensure that all students and campus employees understand the importance of civil discourse to our public higher education mission, and campus policies, including reporting bias concerns; accessing emotional support; the content-neutral time, place and manner restrictions — that ensure a safe working and learning space for the whole community,” reads the statement. “We are committed to fostering an inclusive learning environment at New Paltz and reject antisemitism, Islamophobia and other forms of bias and hatred. We applaud Governor Hochul’s commitment to supporting a successful, safe and engaged academic year for all students and all campuses in New York State.”
Join the family! 
