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Discussion on centralized guidance for safety issues at CUNY campuses

2:49:40

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Council Member Eric Dinowitz questions Chancellor Felix Matos Rodriguez about the implementation of centralized guidance for safety issues on CUNY campuses, as recommended in the Lippman report. The discussion focuses on the contrast between the report's recommendation and CUNY's current practices.

Chancellor Matos Rodriguez asserts that training for peace officers is already centralized
There is some confusion about the extent of central guidance provided for campus safety matters
The conversation highlights the need for clarity on how CUNY is addressing the report's recommendations regarding centralized guidance

Eric Dinowitz

2:49:40

Just a few more points and, and then that ends this section.

2:49:44

But, I I do wanna read one thing from the report and continuation of that.

2:49:52

You you had intimated that the the the individual school or university will take care of whatever issue there is.

2:49:59

I just wanna read one part.

2:50:00

It says presidents and deans of colleges should not be left without central guidance on how to best deal with these types of issues, referring to safety and concealment of identities, safety on campus, concealing identities, which have safety implications.

2:50:19

Presidents and deans of college should not be left with that central guidance, and how to best deal these types of issues, including the appropriate scope of content neutral time, place, and manner restrictions on expressive conduct.

2:50:32

In addition, there must be clear guidance related to issues of vandalism and destruction of property on CUNY campuses.

2:50:39

So in contrast to what you testified before about how each individual school would take care of it, can you abide by the recommendation of judge Littmann that there is more central guidance on how to deal with issues of safety, identity concealment, and instructions for school, campus safety officers?

Felix Matos Rodriguez

2:50:57

So that is, first, the training for all the, peace officer is centralized.

2:51:03

So that's something that we do.

2:51:04

All the training of the peace officer is done by the central office.

2:51:07

It's not done by, by the canvases.

2:51:09

So a lot of the guidance that is providing and the training, on the things mentioned there are things that are done, centrally.

Eric Dinowitz

2:51:19

But the the the guidance for things like mask I know we've been talking a lot about masking, but it's just it's just one element of what safety looks like.

2:51:26

Is that guidance Yes.

2:51:28

And those decisions provided centrally?

Felix Matos Rodriguez

2:51:31

On safety matters, we provide central guidance to the campuses.

2:51:34

Yes.

Eric Dinowitz

2:51:36

Well, it's I'm a little confused.

2:51:39

So why it would be a recommendation where it says presidents of the dean's college should not be left with that central guidance, that sort of imply in the report, that sort of implies that it is.

2:51:49

So, I mean, it's okay to say we disagree, but just say we disagree with

Gideon Askowitz

2:51:51

the report.

Felix Matos Rodriguez

2:51:52

Provide, particularly in public safety and the training and the guidance is something that is heavily centralized.

2:51:58

Campus is also since they have a different configuration in terms of the layout of the campus, they might do additional training pertaining if you're more a vertical campus or things of that nature, but it's centralized.

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CUNY's responsibility to taxpayers and student safety

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Inquiry into training of security officers at CUNY