NYC Council to question university presidents on sexual assault prevention and response

POLITICS NYC Council to question university presidents on sexual assault prevention and response Stream New York's #1 news - AccuWeather - original content 24/7 By Eyewitness News Tuesday, November 10, 2026 12:14PM Share NEW YORK (WABC) -- New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin is calling for a Dec. 15 oversight hearing that will require college and university presidents to testify under oath about what their schools are doing to protect students from sexual assault. Letters are being sent to 10 institutions: New York University, Columbia University, the City University of New York, Fordham University, St. John's University, Pace University, Touro University, The New School, Mercy University and Yeshiva University. School leaders have been instructed to appear before the City Council's Higher Education Committee. The Council is also inviting students, survivors and advocates to testify. The hearing will focus on sexual assault, gender-based harassment and other student safety issues at colleges and universities across New York City. Council officials said the review will examine how schools investigate allegations of sexual misconduct, hold offenders accountable and oversee fraternities and other campus organizations. Lawmakers will also consider whether additional laws, policies or resources are needed to prevent, investigate and respond to sexual misconduct. The Council plans to assess the effectiveness of New York state's 2015 "Enough is Enough" law, which established an affirmative consent standard and included alcohol and drug amnesty provisions for students reporting sexual assault. "The Council wants to hear directly from leading university presidents, students, faculty, survivor advocates, and other stakeholders about where existing systems fall short, best practices regarding investigations and harm prevention, and how best to protect and support survivors," Menin wrote in a letter to college presidents. "Your perspective and recommendations are essential to this effort." Menin said campuses in New York City and across the country continue to face incidents of sexual assault, dating violence, stalking and online abuse. "Our hearts go out to the families, friends, classmates, and campus communities affected by the recent tragedies involving students at Cornell University and the Fashion Institute of Technology," Menin wrote. "These devastating incidents underscore the urgent need to create safer and more supportive environments for students on and off campus." "These challenges are not abstract," she added. The hearing is scheduled for Dec. 15. ---------- * Get Eyewitness News Delivered * More New York City news * Send us a news tip * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts * Follow us on YouTube Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply. Woman critically injured, 2 children and another person hurt in overnight Bronx house fire 2 hours ago Grand jury expected to indict former teacher's aide accused of killing Brooklyn jogger 2 hours ago Queens man says prized Maserati was targeted in overnight attack Report a correction or typo Copyright © 2026 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved. Related Topics POLITICS NEW YORK CITY NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL SEXUAL ASSAULT COLLEGE Watch Live ON NOW Woman critically injured, 2 children hurt in overnight Bronx fire 2 hours ago Grand jury expected to indict man accused in jogger's killing 2 hours ago Surveillance video shows men vandalizing Maserati in Queens Trump says he'd 'stand by' Hegseth even if he's impeached 15 minutes ago Mike Bloomberg, Diana Taylor marry after 26 years together Residents say mice, filth plague Brooklyn apartment building Staten Island road rage incident caught on video Billy Joel announces one-night event at FAU