State University of New York at New Paltz has a Hillel, a Chabad, a Jewish Student Union and Jewish Greek life organizations.

Litigation & Investigations

Two students filed a federal civil rights complaint against the school in 2022, claiming the University "failed to take prompt and effective steps to protect Jewish and Israeli students from discrimination or eliminate the hostile environment and its effects."

What’s Happening on Campus?

In 2022, two SUNY New Paltz students said they faced online harassment, bullying and ostracization from members of a sexual assault accountability group after they posted pro-Israel messages on social media. The group also reportedly asserted that it was only open to those who opposed Zionism.

In early 2024, protesters gathered outside an event where members of the Israeli Defense Forces spoke on campus, and posters of Israeli hostages were also torn down around campus in November 2023.

In October 2024, graffiti was spray-painted on campus grounds that read "All Zionists are racists."

University Policies and Responsive Action

University President Donald Christian issued a statement in February 2022 speaking out against antisemitism, including stipulating that excluding campus members from events and activities due to their support for Israel constitutes antisemitism. The University’s Belongingness Committee issued a report in March 2023 on the Jewish student experience, with recommendations including enhanced recognition of Jewish identity, increased understanding of how to report bias crimes, and training for faculty to better accommodate religious practices.

In May 2024, in response to a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus, law enforcement arrested 132 protestors after multiple warnings from the administration calling on the protestors to disband.

President Wheeler has convened a bias reporting support group, as well as an additional advisory group comprised of faith leaders from Jewish, Protestant, and Catholic faiths and is working to identify an Islamic faith leader to join this group.

As of Spring 2024, SUNY’s Title VI training, which explicitly addresses antisemitism, is mandatory for all employees and student leaders. The general student body is not mandated to take the same training. However, all incoming and transfer students complete an orientation Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training which includes antisemitism.

Since the October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel, the campus has hosted events to promote civil discourse, including a prayer vigil for Israel and an “Israel, Palestine, Loss and Reconciliation, Parents Circles-Family Forum."

State University of New York at New Paltz has a Hillel, a Chabad, a Jewish Student Union and Jewish Greek life organizations.

Litigation & Investigations

Two students filed a federal civil rights complaint against the school in 2022, claiming the University "failed to take prompt and effective steps to protect Jewish and Israeli students from discrimination or eliminate the hostile environment and its effects."

What’s Happening on Campus?

In 2022, two SUNY New Paltz students said they faced online harassment, bullying and ostracization from members of a sexual assault accountability group after they posted pro-Israel messages on social media. The group also reportedly asserted that it was only open to those who opposed Zionism.

In early 2024, protesters gathered outside an event where members of the Israeli Defense Forces spoke on campus, and posters of Israeli hostages were also torn down around campus in November 2023.

In October 2024, graffiti was spray-painted on campus grounds that read "All Zionists are racists."

University Policies and Responsive Action

University President Donald Christian issued a statement in February 2022 speaking out against antisemitism, including stipulating that excluding campus members from events and activities due to their support for Israel constitutes antisemitism. The University’s Belongingness Committee issued a report in March 2023 on the Jewish student experience, with recommendations including enhanced recognition of Jewish identity, increased understanding of how to report bias crimes, and training for faculty to better accommodate religious practices.

In May 2024, in response to a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus, law enforcement arrested 132 protestors after multiple warnings from the administration calling on the protestors to disband.

President Wheeler has convened a bias reporting support group, as well as an additional advisory group comprised of faith leaders from Jewish, Protestant, and Catholic faiths and is working to identify an Islamic faith leader to join this group.

As of Spring 2024, SUNY’s Title VI training, which explicitly addresses antisemitism, is mandatory for all employees and student leaders. The general student body is not mandated to take the same training. However, all incoming and transfer students complete an orientation Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training which includes antisemitism.

Since the October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel, the campus has hosted events to promote civil discourse, including a prayer vigil for Israel and an “Israel, Palestine, Loss and Reconciliation, Parents Circles-Family Forum."