Q&A
Lack of consequences for perpetrators of discriminatory acts
0:56:33
·
175 sec
Council Member Dinowitz addresses the issue of a perceived lack of consequences for students who engage in discriminatory acts, and how this affects campus safety.
- Dinowitz emphasizes that the lack of visible consequences sends a message that discriminatory behavior is tolerated
- The discussion reveals a lack of specific data on disciplinary actions taken in response to Title VI complaints
- Chancellor Rodriguez struggles to provide concrete examples or numbers of students disciplined for discriminatory acts
- The conversation highlights the need for better tracking and reporting of disciplinary actions to demonstrate CUNY's commitment to addressing discrimination
Eric Dinowitz
0:56:33
I and I I the the underlying issue, again, with students feeling safe, part of it is that a number of the actions being taken by other students, other people well, these would be other students in this case, other students or faculty, are not met with consequences.
0:56:49
And so while victim services is important and appreciated, It can't be the case that students who are victims continue to remain victims while the people who who the perpetrators of the acts, then there are no consequences.
0:57:09
And I think it's the same with the portal and the same with relationship with law enforcement.
0:57:15
The rules seemingly are unenforced, and there are no consequences.
0:57:20
And so when we hear that, you know, we don't really know if people are disciplined for off campus behavior, that unfortunately sends a message to people committing those acts that it is okay to continue doing those acts and continue to create an environment that is not safe for students?
Felix Matos Rodriguez
0:57:40
Well, but, again, let me let me students are disciplined for that.
0:57:44
You're asking me for specific examples.
0:57:46
Right?
0:57:46
And I have to sort of think about that and come back to you with those things.
0:57:49
Right?
0:57:50
But in conversations with the president, students are the conduct of campus too is a combination of, are you are you doing an offense against a member of the CUNY community?
0:58:02
In their in that case, it becomes a jurisdiction.
0:58:05
If you're doing something off campus too, that is also a jurisdiction of local law enforcement there because you're not on the campus.
Eric Dinowitz
0:58:12
Right.
0:58:13
But the question is, what consequences does CUNY implement?
0:58:17
Not just what does the NYPD do.
Felix Matos Rodriguez
0:58:19
If if there's an investigation and you broke the the Henderson rules, there'd be the appropriate discipline in those cases.
0:58:26
And the and their students have been put, on probation.
0:58:29
There's been put in, students who've been part of mediation.
Eric Dinowitz
0:58:32
How many students have been put on probation related to title 6 complaints or or complaints of discrimination or civil rights complaints?
Felix Matos Rodriguez
0:58:39
I'll have to get back to you with that.
Eric Dinowitz
0:58:40
We don't I mean, these are the I mean, some of the fundamental questions because that would answer the question.
0:58:44
I would love for you to come here and say, yes.
0:58:46
Every single student that's received a complaint has been investigated, and we've disciplined a number of students, and that would send a very strong message that discrimination is not tolerated.
0:58:58
But just as well, based on today's testimony, the answer could be 0.
0:59:01
The answer could be, well, we looked at it, and we decided not to do anything about it.
0:59:06
And that was and that sends a message that it's continuing to not be safe.
0:59:11
And so without the data, it's very difficult to have a meaningful, productive conversation about this element of the recommendations.
0:59:20
I wanna turn it over to some of my colleagues for the first round of questions, and we will likely have multiple rounds.
0:59:26
And the first person is council member Marte.
