Statement by SUNY Chairman H. Carl McCall and Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher
August 16, 2017
"In the aftermath of the tragic events that unfolded in Charlottesville, Virginia just days ago and with the Fall semester quickly upon us, we want to affirm once again that The State University of New York and all of our campuses will continue to be the inclusive communities that our students, faculty, staff, neighbors, and visitors have come to expect and deserve.
"SUNY stands united against racism, violence, and intimidation. We support our underrepresented populations to the fullest extent. We do all we can to protect the free exchange of ideas and learning that are, and must always be, synonymous with university life.
"As the largest system of public higher education serving New York State, we have the capacity – and what’s more, we have a responsibility – to serve as a model community, one that ensures acceptance in all forms. Guided by our founding principles and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policy, we must continue our work to ensure these commitments are upheld and that all feel safe and welcome within SUNY, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
"SUNY’s commitment to sustaining a safe and welcoming climate for all of our constituencies has never been stronger."
About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state's only college of optometry, 12 Educational Opportunity Centers, over 30 ATTAIN digital literacy labs, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.7 million students across its portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2025, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and annually one in three New Yorkers who earn a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.
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Holly Liapis
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