Cooper Union Plans Changes After Lawsuit from Jewish Students

Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and the Arts, a small private college in lower Manhattan, is set to revise its protest and anti-discrimination policies in response to a lawsuit filed by Jewish students alleging that the institution tolerated anti-Semitic behavior.

As detailed in a recent report, the settlement was announced by attorneys for ten Jewish students. It mandates that the City University of New York acknowledge that harassment or discrimination against individuals based on their Zionist beliefs or Jewish identity violates the school’s discrimination policy.

The agreement also stipulates that student protesters must not wear masks to hide their identities and requires that all student-created posters and flyers be pre-approved to ensure they don’t contain discriminatory content.

Zipporah Reich, an attorney for the Jewish students, pointed out that while the First Amendment protects those who criticize Zionism, widespread or targeted harassment can become an issue. She emphasized that Jewish students should be able to pursue their education free from being targeted for their beliefs.

Cooper Union’s President, Stephen W. McLaughlin, stated that the settlement demonstrates the institution’s ongoing commitment to ensuring a respectful and safe environment for all students within its community.

This situation gained attention in October 2023 when Jewish students locked themselves in a library during an anti-Israel rally that disrupted their safety as protesters chanted outside. The unsettling imagery of the event circulated widely on social media, resulting in significant public outcry and leading to the lawsuit.

Previously, a New York state judge rejected Cooper Union’s attempt to dismiss the lawsuit, criticizing the school for not adequately addressing rising anti-Semitism, suggesting that universities have a clear responsibility to protect all students.