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
