Governor Hochul Directs Public Colleges and Universities in New York to Offer Additional Security Resources for Students Attending Shabbat Services

Campuses Will Offer Increased Law Enforcement Presence, Resources for Jewish Student Groups Gathering for Shabbat Prayers

Governor Has Directed Law Enforcement Statewide to Increase Presence in Response to Public Reports of a “Day of Jihad;” No Credible Threat Detected at This Time

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that public colleges and universities in New York will offer increased law enforcement presence and additional resources for students attending campus Shabbat services. This builds on Governor Hochul’s ongoing commitment to ensuring all New Yorkers are safe in the wake of the horrific Hamas attack on Israel last week.

“My top priority is public safety, and I'm committed to ensuring every student in New York feels secure on campus,” Governor Hochul said. “While there is no credible threat to New York at this time, we are increasing law enforcement presence to ensure Jewish New Yorkers can safely gather and observe Shabbat services.”

On SUNY campuses, Chancellor John B. King Jr. has directed the university police commissioner to work with all state-operated campuses this weekend to ensure there is increased security for on-campus Shabbat services. University police will also work with communities to ensure students who attend services off-campus will also have the security resources they need. The full message from Chancellor King to University presidents is available here.

For on-campus Shabbat services on CUNY campuses, law enforcement protection from local NYPD precincts has been secured, in addition to increasing CUNY Public Safety presence, to ensure these gatherings are safe and students feel protected.

Efforts to protect students on college campuses build on Governor Hochul’s efforts in enhancing public safety across New York in the wake of Hamas' attack on Israel. Earlier today, Governor Hochul briefed the New York State Legislature, New York Conference of Mayors and New York State Association of Counties on ongoing security measures, and yesterday held a press conference with New York City Mayor Eric Adams to detail security measures in place. The Governor has attended a briefing at the New York State Intelligence Center with the New York State Police and has been in contact with the U.S. Department of State to ensure New Yorkers currently in Israel can return home safely.