Resolution on the support for the mission and leadership of the Office for Diversity and Educational Equity

Whereas, New York State's public higher education system is among the world's largest, educating more than 400,000 degree candidates on 64 campuses in the State University of New York, and

Whereas, New York's colleges and universities must meet the challenges posed by rapidly changing demographic, scientific, technological and economic trends in order to prepare students to be successful in commerce, science, education, government, social sciences, humanities and the arts, and

Whereas, a well educated workforce is a necessity for the success of our state, and

Whereas, the young adults aged 18 to 29 are already the most ethnically and racially diverse segment of the current population, and

Whereas, by 2028, Hispanic, Black and Asian people will be in the majority within that age range, and

Whereas, the State University of New York has an obligation to educate the entirety of the populace of New York state, and

Whereas, a diverse classroom leads to an enhanced learning experience for all students, and

Whereas, the Office of Diversity and Educational Equity (ODEE) led by Dr. Pedro Caban was created with the intention of meeting the needs of our state and our University system, and

Whereas, ODEE has been thus far not been adequately funded to accomplish its mission, and

Whereas, given the current budget crisis, there is a real and present danger of further reductions in funding,

Therefore, be it resolved, that the University Faculty Senate states our unequivocal support for the mission and leadership of the Office for Diversity and Educational Equity, and urgently requests that the Chancellor provide a budget that is appropriate for the importance of its mission.

150-06-1 passed without dissent

Resolution on the support for the mission and leadership of the Office for Diversity and Educational Equity

October 18, 2008