The Student Assembly of the State University of New York strongly opposes the changes to federal guidance on the consideration of race in university admissions announced this week by the Justice and Education Departments.
This guidance, issued
by the Obama Administration, encouraged campuses to consider race as part of a
holistic admissions process in order to promote campus diversity.
The Student Assembly
is deeply committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion on all
sixty-four SUNY campuses. Race-aware admissions policies are an essential tool
for institutions of higher education in creating diverse and inclusive campus
communities.
“Unfortunately the
work to end the marginalization of certain American communities is still
ongoing,” said Michael Braun, President of the SUNY Student Assembly and SUNY
Trustee. “Many students enter the college admissions process with the deck
stacked against them; it is essential that colleges and universities consider
the obstacles marginalized students face in the admission process and institute
policies to level the playing field.”
The Student Assembly
applauds Governor Andrew Cuomo for his unequivocal opposition to these
regressive guidance changes, and for directing the SUNY and CUNY Board of
Trustees to investigate whether current SUNY and CUNY admissions guidelines do
enough to promote diversity and inclusion.
“On behalf of SUNY’s
600,000 students I would like to thank Governor Cuomo for taking such a strong
stand in support of campus diversity,” said Braun. “At a time when students of
color feel under attack from Washington, knowing that the Governor has their
back is all the more important.”
The Student Assembly
encourages all campuses to maintain inclusive admissions policies. While this
change in guidance is troubling, campuses can continue to set their own
race-aware admissions policies. We implore all campus administrations to not
allow this change in guidance to influence policies that do so much good for so
many students.
The Student Assembly
of the State University of New York (SUNY SA) is the recognized student government
organization representing the nearly 600,000 students of the State University of New
York. Comprised of student leaders elected by their peers from across SUNY’s 64 campuses,
SUNY SA is committed to empowering students throughout the State, and ensuring
the representation of its members on the state and national level, as well as throughout the
SUNY system.
Source: SUNYSA
No comments:
Post a Comment