UUP: Support Diversity in Higher Education

Level of Government: State

As a State University of New York (SUNY) employee and member of United University Professions (UUP), the labor union that represents SUNY academic and professional faculty, I strongly believe that SUNY must be able to accommodate the increasing numbers of minority and low income students.

I therefore support the enactment of legislation (A5189/S3379) which mandates the state establish and maintain the Office for Diversity and Educational Equity and urge the legislature to pass the "Increasing Diversity in Higher Education Act of 2009". This office is designed to advise SUNY Trustees and the SUNY Chancellor regarding increasing student and faculty diversity at SUNY as well as maintaining educational equity within SUNY.

In recent years SUNY has seen an increase in the number of students that have traditionally been underrepresented at SUNY. These trends are likely to continue and it is imperative that SUNY reduce inequities and increase opportunities for these students. SUNY must open up these doors to higher education while maintaining its standard of academic excellence.

Further, The Office for Diversity and Educational Equity would also facilitate and encourage the hiring of staff, faculty, and administrators from these traditionally underrepresented populations. SUNY does recognize its responsibility to employ a workforce representative of its population, but has had difficulties in recruitment and retention. This Office will ensure that SUNY engages in a system-wide effort to improve its diversity and ensure that qualified minority employees are given opportunities to succeed.

I strongly urge you to support the passage of the Increasing Diversity in Higher Education Act of 2009. and thank you for your support on this issue.

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