Gov defies Don on race & education
ALBANY — Gov. Cuomo on Thursday issued a directive to the state and city university systems that they continue to use race as a factor in their admission policies in order to better ensure diversity.
Cuomo made the order in an open letter released publicly by his office to Bill Thompson and Carl McCall, chairmen of the CUNY and SUNY boards of trustees, respectively.
The letter came days after the Trump administration announced it was rescinding an order by former President Barack Obama designed to promote more diversity in higher education and instead require colleges and universities to adopt more race-neutral admission policies.
“The Trump administration’s move to rescind the guidelines on using race in college admissions is a blatant attempt to limit the participation of minorities in higher education,” Cuomo said. “It is part of a troubling trend by the President and his administration to alienate minorities and build walls to diversity and equal participation in society.”
Cuomo cited court cases dating to 1978 that have upheld college affirmative action policies.
He noted that 76% of CUNY’s student body are minorities while the figure is nearly 45% for SUNY.
“This diversity broadens understanding and breaks down barriers and stereotypes, and it ensures all New Yorkers have the opportunity to succeed,” Cuomo wrote.
He said the state embraces and encourages diversity and, as such, “I am directing you to continue your existing diversity and inclusion plans.”
“The new federal action should have no bearing on admission policies and should not interfere with SUNY’s and CUNY’s commitment to a diverse and inclusive student body,” he said.
He also asked for both university systems to present a report by Aug. 15 outlining how they plan to expand and increase diversity on their campuses.
In a joint statement issued hours later, McCall and SUNY Chancellor Kristina Johnson said the system’s board of trustees “resoundingly decries and opposes The Trump Administration’s recent dissolution of the Justice and Education Department’s policy guidelines regarding diversity and inclusion” and praised Cuomo’s “call to action.”
Meanwhile, state Board of Regents Chancellor Betty Rosa and state Education Commissioner Mary Ellen Elia issued a statement on Thursday also blasting the new Trump administration order, which they called an “assault on policies that support positive environments for all children.”
“In New York State, we must not let the federal government’s reprehensible action deter us in our work to integrate our classrooms,” the two said.