‘Looking forward to turning a new chapter and working together to tackle issues head on’

Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) met with newly-appointed Brooklyn College President Michelle Anderson yesterday afternoon to discuss the direction of the college, policies and to forge a working relationship. The meeting comes just weeks after President Anderson assumed her post on August 1, making her the 10^th president of Brooklyn College.

“I look forward to turning a new chapter and working with President Anderson to tackle issues head-on,” Assemblyman Hikind said following Tuesday’s meeting. “After meeting President Anderson, it became very evident as to why she was hand-picked by CUNY President James Milliken to represent Brooklyn College.

“President Anderson’s willingness to reach out just days after being appointed was like a breath of fresh air,” added Hikind.

Over the past couple of years, Brooklyn College has garnered negative attention regarding several anti-Semitic incidents on the campus. Back in February, several students that belong to the student group Students for Justice in Palestine interrupted a faculty council meeting with anti-Zionist chants, calling for “Zionism out of CUNY.”

Assemblyman Hikind addressed the dilemma, calling for the institution to punish those who took part in the hate speech and to expel the student group from campus grounds. Hikind also called on the college to put an end to its “co-sponsorship of anti-Israel hatefests” after the institution was scheduled to allow Ben White—a known anti-Israel academic—to speak as a guest of Students for Justice in Palestine.

But after the introductory meeting with President Anderson, Assemblyman Hikind said he felt reassured that the college is in good hands.

“I was so impressed with the direction that President Anderson envisions for Brooklyn College,” Hikind said. “Not only is President Anderson class-personified, but her character and morals are right in line with what an academic professional should be.”

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