David Krieger, New York University’s first-ever Title VI coordinator, addressed students for the first time during a recent Student Government Assembly meeting. He stepped into the role during a sensitive time — with nationwide protests over the war in Gaza and rising complaints of campus discrimination.
What Is a Title VI Coordinator?
The Title VI coordinator is responsible for handling complaints of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, or religious background. This includes investigating incidents and ensuring NYU follows federal civil rights laws.
A Background in Civil Rights
Krieger brings 13 years of experience as a senior attorney with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, where he served under multiple presidents including Obama, Trump, and Biden.
“I don’t come with any agenda,” Krieger said. “I’m here to neutrally enforce the law.”
He described himself as a “civil rights warrior” and said he strongly opposed unjust actions against Muslim, Hispanic, and international students during the Trump-era immigration bans.
Handling a Divided Campus
Krieger admitted that NYU has become a “hotbed” of debate, especially regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict. He said his job will be to protect free speech while also preventing conduct that crosses into harassment.
“It’s a fine line between free speech and creating a hostile environment,” he said.
Though he did not cite specific recent protest violations, Krieger stressed that disciplinary action would follow if anyone’s behaviour crosses legal boundaries.
NYU’s Past Discrimination Issues
In 2020, Krieger was involved in a settlement after the Department of Education found NYU failed to protect Jewish students from harassment. As a result, NYU updated its anti-harassment policies to include discrimination based on shared ancestry and ethnicity.
Student Concerns and Questions
Some students questioned Krieger’s links to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which has pushed NYU to act more strongly against pro-Palestinian protests. Krieger responded by saying he’s worked with Muslim and Hindu groups too, and aims to remain neutral.
Others, like graduate student Temuulen Erdenebayar, expressed concern over the lack of transparency in investigations. Krieger replied that while public access to investigations is not standard, he’s open to raising that issue.
Another student asked if Krieger’s team would only act after receiving formal complaints. Krieger clarified that NYU is legally required to respond only when it has been made aware of an issue, but he also looks into informal reports.
Why the Role Was Created
Krieger was appointed on March 11, shortly after NYU was added to a list of colleges under review by former President Trump’s antisemitism task force. The position was created as part of a settlement agreement from a lawsuit filed by three Jewish students alleging NYU ignored antisemitism.
What Students Are Hoping For
Students are cautiously optimistic. “It’s good that we finally have someone to handle discrimination reports,” said Ashlie Oxford, the newly elected SGA chair. “He seemed focused on students, and I hope that continues.”
David Krieger enters NYU at a time when tensions are high and trust is fragile. His promise to be fair and student-focused has given some hope — but for many, actions will speak louder than words. As protests continue and student voices grow louder, the university’s handling of discrimination will be watched closely.
