College Democrats of New York’s Statement on Student Bill of Rights
Dear New York State Senate Committee on Higher Education,
NEW YORK CITY, NY — On behalf of the College Democrats of New York (CDNY), representing thousands of students, including those on State University of New York (SUNY) and City University of New York (CUNY) campuses, we write in full support of S5632A, the legislation to enact a Students’ Bill of Rights.
A Students’ Bill of Rights is crucial to instilling democratic values on college campuses by ensuring students’ fundamental rights to free expression, fair representation, and participatory governance. As future leaders in the state of New York, students deserve a say in the formation of policies that dictate their academic and political environment. S5632A recognizes this. Among its most significant provisions, S5632A protects the right of student leaders to communicate freely with their peers without administrative intervention. Students’ liberty to act in accordance with their shared values invites a freedom that has long been overdue.
In addition, we commend the bill’s protections of student journalists, who often face pressure when reporting on institutional issues. By preventing administrative retaliation and protecting editorial independence, this bill safeguards one of the most important democratic institutions on campus. We strongly believe that no student editorial should be subject to prior restraint, and S5632A acknowledges this
Too often, students are treated as passive consumers of higher education rather than as engaged participants in their communities. This bill reverses that pattern, affirming that students are to have a voice not just in classroom discussions, but also in the governance and culture of their institutions.
As the College Democrats of New York, we strongly believe in the protection and empowerment of students across the state of New York. That is why the CDNY urges all representatives across the board to support and adopt the Students’ Bill of Rights.
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Organization Info:
College Democrats of New York
https://www.collegedemsny.org
collegedemsny@gmail.com
Contact Information:
Kiara Tobias-Arias
Communications Director
collegedemsny@gmail.com