Hofstra University, a private institution in Long Island, New York, is under fire for allegedly discriminating against its alumnus and former governor David Paterson and other supporters of a casino project near the campus. Paterson and Tracy Edwards, the regional director of the NAACP and an employee of Sands Casino, accused the university of barring them from campus events and facilities over their advocacy for the casino development at the Nassau Coliseum site.
Hofstra University opposes casino project
Hofstra University has been vocal in its opposition to the casino project, which is backed by Sands Casino, a global gaming company. The university filed a lawsuit in April 2023, seeking to block the transfer of the lease for the coliseum site to Sands. The university argued that the casino would have negative impacts on the environment, traffic, public safety, and the quality of life of the surrounding communities. The university also claimed that it was not given enough opportunity to provide feedback on the project, which would require a state approval.
The university won a legal victory in February 2024, when a state Supreme Court justice ruled that Sands had no leasehold interest in the coliseum site, putting the casino plans at risk. The judge said that the county did not follow the proper procedures to transfer the lease to Sands, and that the casino project was not consistent with the original purpose of the lease, which was to revitalize the coliseum and the adjacent properties.
Paterson and Edwards allege discrimination by Hofstra University
Paterson and Edwards, who both work for Sands Casino, sent a letter to the board of trustees of Hofstra University on February 26, 2024, alleging that the university discriminated against them and other casino supporters. They claimed that the university staff told them that they were not allowed on the premises without conditions because of their employment with Sands. They also claimed that the university denied access to campus facilities to nonprofit organizations that received donations from Sands, such as the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce and the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Paterson and Edwards said that the university’s actions were “outrageous” and “despicable”, and that they violated the principles of inclusion and belonging that the university claims to uphold. They also said that the events and groups that were affected by the university’s decisions were predominantly black, implying that the university was racially biased. Paterson, who graduated from Hofstra Law School in 1983 and was the state’s first black governor, said that he felt betrayed by his alma mater. Edwards, who is also the regional director of the NAACP New York State Conference, said that the university was acting like a “schoolyard bully”.
Hofstra University denies discrimination allegations
Hofstra University issued a statement in response to the letter from Paterson and Edwards, denying any allegations of discrimination. The university said that Paterson was an esteemed alumnus and that he was welcome on campus as a visitor or a panelist. The university also said that it had approved a congressional forum event, at which Paterson was supposed to be a panelist. The university said that it did not co-sponsor events with casino, alcohol, or tobacco companies or the like, but that it did not prevent other organizations from accepting sponsorships from them.
The university also said that the accusations from Paterson and Edwards were motivated by the recent court ruling that favored the university over Sands. The university said that the ruling affirmed that Sands had no leasehold interest in the coliseum site, and that the casino project was in jeopardy. The university said that it was defending the interests of its students, faculty, staff, and neighbors, who would be adversely affected by the casino.
The casino project remains controversial
The casino project, which was announced in December 2022, has been controversial since its inception. Sands Casino proposed to build a $1.5 billion gaming and entertainment complex at the Nassau Coliseum site, which is owned by Nassau County and leased to a private developer. The project would include a casino, a hotel, a convention center, retail shops, restaurants, and a performing arts center. Sands Casino said that the project would create thousands of jobs, generate millions of dollars in tax revenue, and boost the local economy.
However, the project faced opposition from various stakeholders, including Hofstra University, local residents, civic groups, environmentalists, and anti-gambling advocates. They argued that the project would increase traffic congestion, noise pollution, crime, and gambling addiction, and that it would harm the character and quality of life of the area. They also questioned the legality and transparency of the lease transfer process, and the environmental and social impacts of the project.
The project also required a state approval, as New York currently does not allow casinos on Long Island. The state legislature would have to pass a bill to amend the state constitution to allow casino gambling on Long Island, and the voters would have to approve it in a referendum. The state lawmakers have not taken any action on the bill, and the governor has not expressed any support for the project.
