RAMPANT ANTI-SEMITISM AT BROOKLYN COLLEGE

“THERE IS NO PLACE FOR RACISM IN NEW YORK CITY, LET ALONE IN A CITY-FUNDED UNIVERSITY”

Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) is demanding an independent investigation into numerous accusations of anti-Semitism and racial bias at Brooklyn College. A number of high-level staff members at the college have claimed that Provost William A. Tramontano has prevented observant Jewish female faculty candidates from being hired despite the highest recommendations from Brooklyn College’s Appointment Committees, and that promotions have been denied to others by Tramontano solely because they were Orthodox Jews.

The Assemblyman received numerous calls from Brooklyn College staff and instructors who felt fearful and intimidated by the hostile environment Tramontano had created. They attested to frequent acts of discrimination against Jewish faculty members—especially Orthodox Jewish women.

“One highly qualified woman was denied a position because Tramantano said they staff already had a Miriam,” Hikind noted. “Another faculty member was disparagingly referred to as ‘rabbi’ because he was Orthodox. And when asked by a senior staff member to look into these matters, a CUNY attorney had the gall to ask for a list of Jews in the department!

“As a graduate of Brooklyn College, I was deeply hurt to learn of these incidents at my alma matter,” said Assemblyman Hikind in a letter to Dr. Matthew Goldstein, Chancellor of CUNY, “but as an American and a Jew I am outraged by these clearly racial, anti-female, anti-Semitic and blatantly illegal actions! It is almost beyond belief to imagine that discrimination against Jews and women can occur in the heart of Brooklyn, perhaps the most diverse community in the world.”

“In light of the number of known bias incidences at Brooklyn College that, although reported, have been allowed to continue and increase, I am calling for an immediate and thorough investigation by an independent group into the accusations brought against Provost William Tramontano by Brooklyn College’s staff. There is no place for racism in New York City, let alone in a City-funded university!”