PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Adela Cojab, Lawyer, on CUNY's Response to Antisemitism
4:18:40
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129 sec
Adela Cojab, a lawyer who fights Title VI cases, testified about CUNY's response to antisemitism, emphasizing the need for stronger definitions and enforcement mechanisms. She compared the current situation to her past experiences with NYU and discussed the importance of clear policies and dedicated positions to address discrimination.
- Advocated for adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism and creating a Title VI coordinator position
- Highlighted NYU's recent policy defining anti-Zionism as a form of antisemitism as a strong precedent
- Argued for equal treatment of antisemitism cases, comparing it to how sexual assault cases are handled post-Me Too movement
- Addressed the issue of social media content and university sanctions, questioning the disparity in treatment between alcohol-related posts and those harassing Jewish people
Adela Cojab
4:18:40
Thank you so much.
4:18:42
So I actually testified at city hall about CUNY back in June of 2022, and it's really a shame that instead of talking about how much progress we've seen, we're actually significant steps back.
4:18:52
By way of background, I filed a title 6 against NYU in 2019 for very similar behavior that we've seen at CUNY.
4:18:58
And since then, I've become a lawyer who now fights title 6 cases specifically.
4:19:02
So reading through the litman recommendations, I wanna elucidate enforcement.
4:19:06
So we've spoken about the IRA definition, and the thing is that until you define something, you cannot fight it, and the Ira definition has been, supported by the major Jewish organizations as well as the majority of the Jewish community.
4:19:17
2nd, I want to talk about the enforcement.
4:19:19
So I want to look at NYU's policy.
4:19:21
NYU right now came out with the most definitive policy that defines anti Zionism as a form of antisemitism.
4:19:27
It is explicit talking about litmus tests.
4:19:29
It's something that has been done by NYU.
4:19:32
Whether or not it will be enforced, hopefully, we'll see.
4:19:34
But, again, that sets a really strong precedent of a New York University setting a strong definition.
4:19:40
When I read it, I honestly felt my heart singing, saying I couldn't have written it better myself, number 1.
4:19:45
Number 2, NYU created a Title 6 coordinator position.
4:19:48
Now, I'm older than most students here.
4:19:49
You know, I graduated 2019.
4:19:51
I'm 28.
4:19:51
I'm not that old.
4:19:52
I was in college during the Me Too movement.
4:19:54
And what happened after the Me Too movement in 2017 was the creation of a Title 9 coordinator position.
4:20:00
That significantly decreased the amount of sexual assault cases, and every single one was dealt with right now with a zero tolerance policy.
4:20:07
So when you look at antisemitism, we're not looking for special treatment.
4:20:10
We're looking for equal treatment under the law, not only when it comes to discrimination, but when it comes to any form of harassment of students.
4:20:16
So I love the Littmann recommendations, but, unfortunately, I felt that it could have been stronger when it comes to what enforcement looks like.
4:20:23
To me, it looks like a definition and a set a definition that explicitly includes Zionism, which, again, we saw in why you do.
4:20:29
And number 2, creating that Title 6 coordinator position.
4:20:32
I think that also because I have 10 seconds, talking about social media.
4:20:35
If you look at universities, they talk about how they can't step into social media.
4:20:38
I come from the world of Greek life.
4:20:40
I know for a fact that if a fraternity or sorority post pictures of alcohol, they cannot be on campus and they get sanctioned.
4:20:46
So why is it different when it comes to Jewish identity and harassing Jewish people?
Eric Dinowitz
4:20:49
Thank you so much for your testimony.
