WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

S 5632

Implements a students' bill of rights for city university of New York institutions

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Cordell Cleare and 3 co-sponsors

Establishes a formal students' bill of rights for CUNY, mandating campuses adopt and enforce baseline protections on academics, due process, safety, and nondiscrimination.

PRINT NUMBER 5632D
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 5632

Summary — S.5632 (Print No. 5632D)

Title: Implements a students' bill of rights for City University of New York (CUNY) institutions
Introduced: February 26, 2025
Current status: Print Number 5632D (amended and recommitted to Higher Education; most recent legislative action 2025-06-04)

Purpose

S.5632 is intended to establish a formal "students' bill of rights" that would apply to institutions of the City University of New York. The stated intent (from the bill title) is to codify a set of baseline rights and protections for CUNY students, and to require CUNY campuses and central administration to adopt and follow those standards.

Legislative status and timeline

  • 2025-02-26: Referred to the Senate Higher Education Committee (introduced).
  • 2025-03-03: Printed as 5632A; amended and recommitted.
  • 2025-05-28 — 05-29: Further amendment cycles; printed as 5632B and 5632C; amended and recommitted.
  • 2025-06-04: Most recent amendments; printed as 5632D; amended and recommitted to Higher Education.
    The bill has undergone multiple rounds of amendment, indicating active drafting and negotiation; final language may differ from earlier prints.

Sponsors and related legislation

  • Primary sponsor: Sen. Robert Jackson
  • Cosponsors: Sens. Cordell Cleare, Kevin S. Parker, Kristen González
  • Assembly companion: A.7400 (companion bill)

Key areas likely to be included (based on bill title / common practice)

The full text of S.5632 (Print No. 5632D) should be consulted for exact provisions. Bills titled as a "students' bill of rights" typically address some or all of the following — items below summarize likely content areas rather than confirmed text:
- Academic rights: clear grading and assessment standards, timely access to transcripts and records, transfer credit transparency.
- Due process and disciplinary procedure: notice, hearings, appeal rights, and timelines for student misconduct or academic integrity proceedings.
- Free expression and assembly: protections for speech, student organizations, and peaceful protest on campus.
- Non-discrimination and accessibility: protections against discrimination, accommodations under disability law, and equal access to programs.
- Health and safety: access to mental health services, sexual assault resources, and campus safety protocols.
- Financial transparency: clear disclosure of tuition, fees, refunds, emergency aid and financial aid application assistance.
- Student participation: roles for student representation in governance, participation in policy formation, and appeals/complaint mechanisms.
- Privacy: protections for student education records consistent with federal law (e.g., FERPA).

Who would be affected

  • Primary: students enrolled at CUNY colleges and graduate programs.
  • Secondary: CUNY campus administrations, faculty and staff (who may have new procedural or training requirements), student government bodies, and CUNY central administration responsible for implementation and compliance.

Potential impacts and implementation considerations

  • Policy changes at campus and central levels to align procedures and notices with newly mandated rights.
  • Possible administrative costs for training, staffing grievance offices, updating publications/websites, and monitoring compliance; the bill text would specify whether funding or reporting requirements accompany the rights.
  • Potentially increased use of formal grievance/appeal processes; courts or administrative bodies might see changes in the nature of disputes.
  • Interplay with state and federal laws (e.g., FERPA, Title IX) will determine how rights are implemented.

Next steps / how to review the bill

Because S.5632 has undergone multiple amendments, consult Print No. 5632D for the current, authoritative language. Review the companion Assembly bill A.7400 for parallel or differing provisions. For implementation details (dollar amounts, specific procedural timelines, reporting duties), read the full bill text and fiscal notes (if available) on the legislative website or contact the Senate Higher Education Committee.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.