Senate Democrats Reject Efforts to Combat Antisemitism on College Campuses
May 5, 2026
Senate Democrats on the Higher Education Committee today effectively blocked two pieces of legislation that would have ensured no state funding for SUNY, CUNY, and community colleges who permit terrorist organizations and required students to take sensitivity training to implement antisemitism awareness and prevention.
Among the bills defeated and blocked from moving to the Senate floor were measures designed to keep college campuses safe from acts of hatred:
> S.722 (Senator Rhoads) Prohibits funding for SUNY, CUNY or community colleges which, directly or indirectly, permit terrorist organizations on campus. This bill was defeated outright by the Democratic members of the Committee.
> S.1752 (Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick) Enacts the "dismantling student antisemitism act", or "DSA act"; requires mandatory sensitivity training that includes the topic of antisemitism; includes reporting requirements regarding antisemitism complaints and disciplinary processes. This bill was bottled up in the Codes Committee instead of being sent to the floor for a full vote of the Senate.
“SUNY and CUNY campuses should be institutions where all students have the opportunity to learn in an environment free from hateful and violent rhetoric in support of terrorism or Federally recognized groups, like Hamas, that sponsor or commit acts of terrorism. The use of school property and campus resources, in any form, to conduct or promote such activities should be universally opposed in a bi-partisan manner. This amendment to the state Education Law would have held SUNY and CUNY institutions accountable for permitting these activities on campus by withholding State taxpayer funding. The failure of Senate Democrats to support common sense reforms to protect students and stop taxpayer-funded institutions from becoming ideological war zones where hate, the incitement of violence and the celebration of organizations that sponsor terrorism are permitted to flourish, should be a shocking wake-up call to all New Yorkers and a disturbing insight into their priorities,” stated Senator Steve Rhoads.
“While I am encouraged that my bill, S.1752, was advanced out of the Higher Education Committee today, the work is far from finished. Addressing antisemitism on our campuses cannot remain bottled up in the Codes committee for the remainder of session, it must come to the floor for a full vote so we can ensure our higher education institutions are held fully accountable. Our Jewish students deserve to feel safe and respected, and I will continue pushing until these protections are enacted,” stated Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick.
Today’s bills were placed on the agenda per a motion for committee consideration made by their Republican sponsors.
Members of the Senate Republican Conference have long advocated for safety on our college campuses, as well as other comprehensive legislation that would ensure the protection and security of our Jewish citizens.
