New York Makes History With New Law Requiring Title VI Coordinators at Every College

A Landmark Move to Strengthen Student Safety

New York has taken a groundbreaking step by passing a law that requires every college and university in the state to appoint a Title VI coordinator. These coordinators will be responsible for overseeing investigations into discrimination based on race, color, national origin, and shared ancestry—protections guaranteed under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Governor Hochul’s Commitment to Safe Campuses

Governor Kathy Hochul emphasized that this law makes New York the first state in the nation to implement such a mandate. She underscored the importance of ensuring that campuses remain safe spaces for learning.

“By placing Title VI coordinators on all college campuses, New York is combating antisemitism and all forms of discrimination head-on,” Hochul stated. “No one should fear for their safety while trying to get an education. It’s my top priority to ensure every New York student feels safe at school, and I will continue to take action against campus discrimination and use every tool at my disposal to eliminate hate and bias from our school communities.”

A Response to Growing Concerns

The move comes amid rising reports of discrimination on college campuses, particularly incidents tied to antisemitism and Islamophobia. These concerns have pushed many institutions across the country to begin hiring coordinators dedicated to enforcing compliance with Title VI and addressing complaints more effectively.

In some instances, the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights had already instructed colleges to add such roles after investigations found that certain campuses failed to adequately respond to discrimination cases.

SUNY’s Early Adoption

Even before the new law was passed, the State University of New York (SUNY) system had already set a requirement for each of its campuses to have a Title VI coordinator in place by the fall 2025 semester. The state-wide legislation now ensures that all colleges, both public and private, will meet this same standard.

A Nationwide First

With this law, New York sets a precedent that may influence other states to follow suit. By mandating dedicated coordinators to handle Title VI compliance, the state is sending a clear message that discrimination will not be tolerated and that the safety of students remains a top priority.