Q&A
Debate on the presence of antisemitism at CUNY
1:53:07
·
114 sec
Council Member Kalman Yeger engages in a heated discussion with CUNY Chancellor Felix Matos Rodriguez about the presence of antisemitism at CUNY. Yeger asserts that antisemitism is likely present among CUNY's large population, while Rodriguez is hesitant to make such a definitive statement.
- Yeger suggests that in a population of 280,000 people at CUNY, there are likely to be antisemites.
- Rodriguez is unable to confirm with certainty the presence of antisemites at CUNY.
- Yeger expresses frustration with Rodriguez's reluctance to acknowledge the problem directly.
- Rodriguez defends CUNY's efforts to address antisemitism, mentioning previous initiatives and funding requests.
Kalman Yeger
1:53:07
Well, you testified that there are 240,000, CUNY students and 40,000 employees at CUNY.
1:53:18
Do you believe any of them are anti Semites?
Felix Matos Rodriguez
1:53:25
I I don't know.
1:53:27
Let me
Kalman Yeger
1:53:27
help you out.
1:53:28
Yes.
1:53:28
I'm a member of the city council.
1:53:29
51 members here.
1:53:30
I guarantee you there are anti Semites on this council.
1:53:32
I know them.
1:53:33
So now I'm asking you, out of 280,000 people identified as being on a CUNY campus on any given moment between faculty and students, You're able to say that there are antisemites in your midst?
Felix Matos Rodriguez
1:53:47
I I don't know that I can tell you that with any certainty.
Kalman Yeger
1:53:50
Okay.
1:53:51
That may be part of the problem is because I think that, it's it's widely known, I believe.
1:53:59
You don't need me.
1:53:59
I'm not an expert on it.
1:54:00
That, antisemitism is a pervasive problem in society today and it didn't start on October 8th.
1:54:06
And I know you know that, chancellor, because we have had conversations.
1:54:09
You know that.
1:54:10
I mean, I know that that you're you are allied with the Jewish community, on this topic.
1:54:16
So I'm I'm surprised that that the answer isn't just of course, we have antisemites in on our campuses.
1:54:22
And but, you know, that's just the way it is in society.
1:54:26
And when they do something, we're gonna go after them.
1:54:28
Well, as
Felix Matos Rodriguez
1:54:28
That would
Kalman Yeger
1:54:28
be a great answer.
Felix Matos Rodriguez
1:54:29
As as I mentioned in in in my testimony, you know, CUNY is not immune to the uptick in cases and documented the many, many things that we've been doing in that space.
1:54:39
And I began by sharing with you that when I became chancellor, even before the uptick of the cases, I came before the city council asking for funding that the council got me to be working on these issues because I know how important they are, and why why you need to remain vigilant to be able to do all those things.
1:54:56
So, I have been part of this engagement, since the day I became chancellor.
