Yeshiva University

The Cardozo Law School has instituted student diversity training programs such as the 1L Professionalism programming which "will include six sessions devoted to diversity and inclusion, implicit bias, microaggressions, cultural competency, and related issues." This is effective Fall 2021.

The Cardozo Law School has also instituted faculty diversity training. This training is mandatory and centers on "classroom teaching and pedagogical best practices with regard to diversity, inclusion, implicit bias and related issues." This is effective Fall 2021.

The Cardozo Law School now requires "an upper-level race and the law" offering. The university states that, "Qualifying courses will include Race and the Law, Critical Race Theory, Indigenous Rights in the Americas, and Cross-Cultural Negotiation, as well as clinics and skills-based courses that focus on lawyering within communities whose members have been affected by systemic racism." This is a new graduation requirement that applies for the class of 2024, starting in Fall 2021.

The Cardozo Law School has effected "an expansion of class offerings covering issues related to race and the law" as well as "a new emphasis on racial context and impacts in courses not primarily about race." This is effective Fall 2021.

The Cardozo Law has brought in Professor Peter Markowitz for its created position for the Associate Dean of Equity in Curriculum and Teaching. As part of his position, he will "oversee these changes to the law school curriculum." This is effective Fall 2021.

Cardozo School of Law has announced the creation of the Intellectual Property Diversity Scholarship that will "support Cardozo students from diverse backgrounds." This scholarship is endorsed by Merchant and Gould.

Wurzweiler's School of Social Work has created the Anti-Racism Committee. The ARC hosted a presentation entitled "Power Dynamics and Anti-Racist Organizing: Use of Group Work for Empowerment towards Social Change."

In response to the death of George Floyd, Provost Dr. Selma Botman released a statement saying, "The murder of George Floyd is a tragic reminder that the sacred American commitment to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is maddeningly out of reach for our fellow citizens of color. Let us mourn the injustices enabled by racism across our nation while we commit ourselves to the righteous struggle for social justice, grounded in an abiding respect for difference and a humbling recognition that this effort remains as yet unattainable for all Americans."

Dean Melanie Leslie of Cardozo School of Law also released a statement following the death of George Floyd. She stated that, "Our community has been shaken by the racist killings of George Floyd in Minnesota, Breonna Taylor in Kentucky and so many others. We mourn these needless deaths and condemn police brutality. We recognize the pain, fear and trauma that people of color in our community, especially our black students, faculty members and staff, are experiencing. We are with you. I call on the Cardozo community to stand as one to condemn racism and reaffirm our commitment to the paramount value of equality under the law for all.”

The Vice Provost and the Dorothy and David I. Schachne Dean of the Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Dr. Danielle Wozniak, released a statement in response to George Floyd's death. She said, “As a nation, too many of our brothers and sisters have reached the horrific and inescapable moment where they simply can bear no more. No more harassment, no more fear, no more anxiety, no more degradation, no more suspicion, no more murder. This is the time when every citizen must say, we too have had enough. We too must hold Dr. King’s vision of a unified nation in which the color of one’s skin does not determine the outcome of one’s life. We are all tasked with changing the face of our nation and the fate of our citizens.”

In response to the events of March 2020, President Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman released a statement saying, "Today should have been the 27th birthday of Breonna Taylor, who was killed by police officers in Louisville on March 13. Yeshiva University stands united as we condemn her murder, alongside those of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and so many other victims of racial violence."

Cardozo Law School released a statement stating that the Dean's Council on Diversity and Inclusion "spearheaded strategies to address inequities and structural racism." This will allow the school to continue its "support for continuous and ongoing advancement in diversity, equity and inclusion." The law school has instituted the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the Office of Career Services -- Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives, and the Gates Scholars Program to continue these efforts.

Race and the Law

Critical Race Theory

Cross-Cultural Negotiation