(ConservativeSense.com) – California Governor Gavin Newsom is calling on the state’s university system to take action to tamp down hate-related incidents on campus, Politico reported.
In a letter to the heads of the University of California system, California Community Colleges, and California State University, Newsom on Monday urged officials to enforce safety policies on campus amid the rising incidents of antisemitism in the wake of the October 7 terror attack in Israel.
To “both sides” of the issue, Newsom suggested that there has also been a rise in Islamophobic incidents on campus as well.
He described the targeted attacks against students as “unacceptable” and demanded action; however, the governor did not outline precisely what action he expected the officials to take.
Newsom’s letter comes after he met over the last few weeks with University of California President Michael Drake, California State University Chancellor Mildred Garcia, California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian, and various Jewish groups.
Michael Drake is expected to announce initiatives aimed at stemming the violence on campus and increasing support for UC students affected by the war in Gaza.
In his letter, Governor Newsom said multiple student groups, including Jewish student organizations and pro-Palestinian groups, have grown fearful of being targeted. He suggested that the universities should connect these “affinity spaces” with mental health resources and campus safety.
The governor also urged the officials to take “every opportunity to model productive dialogue and common understanding.”
The University of California Regents met in Los Angeles on Wednesday and Thursday to discuss President Drake’s plans to address violence and threats on campuses. The Regents focused on ways to support students affected and provide additional resources to campuses to ensure “respectful dialogue” and peaceful protests.
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