Colpa Deplores Rockefeller Veto of Bill for College Religious Absences

The veto by Gov. Rockefeller of a bill which would have required private colleges in New York State to make accommodations for students unable to attend classes on certain days because of their religious requirements was deplored today by the National Jewish Commission on Law and Public Affairs (COLPA). Julius Berman, COLPA president, called the veto an “unfortunate” action which “adversely affects the interests of many New York citizens.” Public collages in the state are already required to make such accommodations for such religious needs of Jewish and other students. In his veto message, Gov. Rockefeller said there was a lack of demonstrated need for such legislation but he referred the matter to the state Division for Human Rights for an investigation on whether similar legislation should be introduced at the 1972 legislative session.