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 early 2024, protesters gathered outside an event where members of the Israeli Defense Forces spoke on campus.

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. In addition, there is a group of New Paltz administrators, faculty, and staff who are participating in the Hillel Campus Climate Initiative, which has included focus groups, surveys, regular meetings and educational webinars.

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 information about antisemitism.

Since the October 2023 Hamas attack 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."

In fall 2025, New Paltz hired a full-time lecturer in Hebrew and Jewish Studies, tasking them with reinvigorating the University’s Jewish Studies Program.

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 early 2024, protesters gathered outside an event where members of the Israeli Defense Forces spoke on campus.

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. In addition, there is a group of New Paltz administrators, faculty, and staff who are participating in the Hillel Campus Climate Initiative, which has included focus groups, surveys, regular meetings and educational webinars.

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 information about antisemitism.

Since the October 2023 Hamas attack 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."

In fall 2025, New Paltz hired a full-time lecturer in Hebrew and Jewish Studies, tasking them with reinvigorating the University’s Jewish Studies Program.

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 early 2024, protesters gathered outside an event where members of the Israeli Defense Forces spoke on campus.

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. In addition, there is a group of New Paltz administrators, faculty, and staff who are participating in the Hillel Campus Climate Initiative, which has included focus groups, surveys, regular meetings and educational webinars.

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 information about antisemitism.

Since the October 2023 Hamas attack 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."

In fall 2025, New Paltz hired a full-time lecturer in Hebrew and Jewish Studies, tasking them with reinvigorating the University’s Jewish Studies Program.