Oneida Times

New York State Senators Joseph Griffo, Dean Murray, and Peter Oberacker have united in a call to Governor Kathy Hochul to withhold state funding from Columbia University following pro-Hamas protests on the campus. The senators are also advocating for the removal of the university's tax-exempt status.

In a joint letter to Governor Hochul, the senators expressed their dismay at the university's handling of the situation, with Sen. Griffo remarking, "Students, faculty and staff should feel safe when on campus." Sen. Murray echoed this sentiment by stating, “The fact that there are students and faculty on the campus of Columbia University that sincerely fear for their safety and well-being, is an absolute disgrace.” Sen. Oberacker further emphasized the importance of safety on college campuses, saying, “College campuses should be safe havens for students and faculty, yet that is not the case at Columbia University.”

The senators highlighted their concerns about the university's response to the protests, indicating that the administration's actions have fostered an environment of fear and antisemitism, especially impacting those of the Jewish faith. They called for immediate action to address the situation and ensure that antisemitic acts are not tolerated in New York.

In their letter to Governor Hochul, the senators urged for the withholding of state funds from Columbia University and proposed support for a Constitutional Amendment to remove the institution's tax-exempt status. They emphasized the need for decisive measures to demonstrate that antisemitism has no place in the state.

The senators concluded their letter by thanking the Governor for her consideration and signed off as Joseph A. Griffo, New York State Senator for the 53rd Senate District; Dean Murray, New York State Senator for the 3rd Senate District; and Peter Oberacker, New York State Senator for the 51st Senate District.