Q&A
Council Member Bottcher questions Chancellor Rodriguez on CUNY's commitment to combating antisemitism
2:01:59
·
168 sec
Council Member Erik D. Bottcher questions CUNY Chancellor Felix Matos Rodriguez about the university's commitment to combating antisemitism and ensuring the safety of Jewish students. The Chancellor reaffirms his dedication to addressing antisemitism as a top priority and outlines various initiatives CUNY has undertaken.
- Chancellor Rodriguez discusses proactive measures, including creating a Jewish advisory council and leading a delegation to Israel.
- The Chancellor emphasizes ongoing work with organizations like JCRC, UGA, and Hillel to address safety concerns and support Jewish students.
- Bottcher seeks and receives clear commitments from Rodriguez that combating antisemitism is a top priority and that CUNY will continue to do more on this issue.
Erik D. Bottcher
2:01:59
Good afternoon, chancellor.
Felix Matos Rodriguez
2:02:01
Good to see you.
Erik D. Bottcher
2:02:02
Today, as we speak, there are young people in New York City and beyond, Jewish high school students who are this time of year, a lot of them have decided whether they're gonna go to college.
2:02:15
Some of them are still in that process.
2:02:18
Can you speak directly to the young people of New York City about your commitment to them as potential future students at CUNY and about how seriously you take the issue of anti semitism, reiterate your commitment to keep them safe.
2:02:39
I'd I'd like to hear that from you very clearly and loudly for the young people of New York City.
Felix Matos Rodriguez
2:02:49
Well, thank you for that opportunity.
2:02:51
And that is, my conviction.
2:02:55
It is something that I've been working on since I've been chancellor in 2019.
2:02:59
As I mentioned, even before the uptick in all these cases, I knew that as my experience of being the president in Queens College with a very large Jewish population, a large Muslim population too, that, you need to be proactive, in fighting antisemitism and hate.
2:03:16
And I came to the council, and the council was supportive in getting funding to be able to do the programming that we know helps to build bridges.
2:03:25
I took half of my presidents in 2022, to Israel to make a very, very bold statement about our commitment to working with institutions in Israel, working with universities, working with cultural institutions.
2:03:40
So we were not gonna be part of any boycott.
2:03:43
It was not just a statement.
2:03:44
It was a visit, and we have follow-up on some of the, leads of that, of of that visit.
2:03:53
I created a Jewish advisory council to precisely, be able to get the best feedback on doing these things.
2:03:59
We work very closely with JCRC, UGA on safety issues, with Hillel, to show the commitment.
2:04:06
I have met with many of the students in, from the Hillels, had a meeting with them in the central office, have visited a number of them on the campuses to be able to show them, how important, these issues are, and the many things that we've been doing on on this university.
2:04:23
So thank you for the opportunity to allow me to reiterate that, not just to prospective students, but students who are currently in the system.
Erik D. Bottcher
2:04:31
Is combating antisemitism one of your top priorities as chancellor?
Felix Matos Rodriguez
2:04:35
Absolutely.
Erik D. Bottcher
2:04:37
Do you commit to doing more as chancellor?
Felix Matos Rodriguez
2:04:40
It's one of the things that it's right in front of the testimony.
2:04:43
It is ongoing work.
2:04:45
Absolutely.
2:04:46
Thank you.
