Inez Barron, New York City councilwoman and chair of the higher education committee, testified against a proposed change to City University of New York (CUNY)’s disciplinary procedures during a board meeting Nov. 24. The change would eliminate a student’s right to remain silent during disciplinary investigation.
Under the university’s current policy, students who are the subject of an investigation by campus officials can choose “to remain silent without the assumption of guilt,” according to Capital New York.
Barron told attendees of the hearing that such a change would take away students’ constitutional right to remain silent without the assumption of guilt. Multiple students also testified against the proposed change, and a letter from Councilman Rory Lancman that was read by Barron also opposes the revision.
The change is related to the university’s sexual assault prevention efforts, according to an explanation provided at the hearing.
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