Bill > A4514

Introduced Session

This bill directs the State Treasurer to debit from a public research university's State operating aid an amount equal to the costs incurred by the institution in implementing any agreements reached with students protesting the Israel-Hamas conflict that began on October 7, 2023. Under the bill, aid is to be reduced by the costs associated with: (1) the institution's acceptance of, and any institutional aid provided for, displaced Gazan students; (2) establishing an Arab Cultural Center; (3) establishing an educational and collaborative partnership with Birzeit University; (4) hiring senior administrators with cultural competency and knowledge about Arabs, Palestinians, Muslims, anti-Palestinian racism, and Islamophobia; 5) hiring additional professors specializing in Palestine studies and Middle East studies; (6) establishing a center for Palestinian studies and the departmentalization of Middle East studies; (7) displaying the flags of a country or territory that is controlled by a foreign terrorist organization as designated by the United States Secretary of State; and (8) providing amnesty to students, student groups, faculty, and staff involved in anti-Semitic protests on the campus of the institution. This bill is in response to encampments on the lawns of Voorhees Mall at Rutgers University-New Brunswick by students demanding various actions from the institution in response to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The sponsor notes that Rutgers negotiated with the trespassing students and came to agreements with students supporting a terrorist organization. The sponsor also notes that, if implemented, the agreements will require the spending of taxpayer dollars.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Alex Sauickie (R)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Higher Education Committee (on 06/06/2024)

Official Document