A group of students leaves the Residence Hall together, talking

Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

SUNY Adirondack is committed to a diverse, inclusive and equitable learning environment and campus community.

SUNY Adirondack has a culture in which everyone can be their authentic selves. 

SUNY Adirondack is steadfast in its commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive community of belonging for all to thrive by promoting and supporting the benefits of diversity, equity and inclusion. The various perspectives, experiences and knowledge gained from DEI practices provide multifaceted aspects of the human condition and, in turn, enable us to become better informed and educated.

Statement

SUNY Adirondack respects the constitutionally protected rights of freedom of expression for all, however, these rights cannot disrupt and/or create an unsafe environment that infringes on others rights to effectively learn and work.

To ensure the safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors, SUNY Adirondack, along with all SUNY campuses, have established content-neutral time, place and manner restriction policies. These policies enable students and other community members to have their voices heard in a peaceful manner regarding any issue, regardless of subject or viewpoint, without disrupting the college’s ability to provide instruction, events and other important services to our students and community.

Civil discourse and respectful debate is encouraged and expected within and outside the classroom. We believe in the power of knowledge to help us learn and grow, but not at the expense of others. We invite all campus community members to participate in these opportunities when presented and to enter these spaces with an open mind and open heart. 

With your help, we can create a campus community environment that respects the rights of all to be heard and respected, while rejecting behaviors and actions that seek to divide us.

Diversity Plan

SUNY Adirondack outlines its commitment to DEI in its recently adopted Diversity Plan.

Students participate in Fresh Check Day.

On-campus resources

Gender-inclusive restrooms

Every building on campus offers gender-inclusive facilities.

Lactation facilities

An on-campus lactation station ensures nursing parents have a safe, comfortable space.

Resources

SUNY Adirondack provides on-campus resources to ensure you have the tools you need to be successful.

Accessibility Services Office (ASO)

The Accessibilities Services Office provides equal educational opportunities to students with disabilities by ensuring full access to all college programs, activities and facilities.

A graduation cap reads "Dream it, believe it, do it"

Counseling Center

SUNY Adirondack Counseling provides accessible, compassionate and culturally responsive mental health services that support the well-being and academic success of our diverse student population. Through personalized counseling, outreach and training, we aim to empower students to overcome challenges, achieve their goals and reach their full potential.

Counseling Center with water wall feature

Veteran services

SUNY Adirondack offers a Veterans Resource Center, which provides support and a community for our veteran students and their families, as well as Adirondack Peer-to-Peer Support Services, a grant-funded program based at the college.

Closeup of a veteran holding a plaque commending the Veterans Club

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Amber Rzeszuto wears a Smashing Pumpkins T-shirt, has black, spiky hair and is looking directly at the camera

'That' child

Amber Rzeszuto loves bugs. “I’ve had a beloved interest for insects since I was like 4 or 5 years old,” they said. “I want to become an entomologist to study insects more deeply and clearly, and protect them.”

Sophia Goldsmith smiles at the camera in the Student Activities office. She has dark curly hair and wears a hooded sweatshirt.

Creative inspiration

Sophia Goldsmith was recruited to play soccer at SUNY Adirondack, but even after she hung up her jersey and earned a degree, the Albany native stayed. “I started as a Media Arts major because I like photography,” she explained of the first degree she earned. “Then I moved on to Outdoor Education because, well, why not? I always loved the outdoors and the classes are interesting.”

Parker Kaliesz stands in the Library in Scoville Learning Center

Renaissance Man

Parker Kalisz considers himself a bit of a Renaissance Man. He loves to write, draw, paint, meditate and take photos. At SUNY Adirondack, the Media Arts program has given him the opportunity to explore his interest in the arts.

Additional resources

Additional resources to expand your knowledge:

  • "Disability Friendly: How to Move from Clueless to Inclusive" by John D. Kemp
  • "Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents" by Isabel Wilkerson
  • "The Book of Pride: LGBTQ Heroes Who Changed the World" by Mason Funk
  • "Allies and Advocates: Creating an Inclusive and Equitable Culture" by Amber Cabral
  • "Stamped From The Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America" by Ibram X. Kendi
  • "The Souls of Black Folk" by W.E.B. Du Bois
  • "White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism" by Robin DiAngelo
  • “From Equity Talk to Equity Walk: Expanding Practitioner Knowledge for Racial Justice in Higher Education” by Tia Brown McNair, Estela Mara Bensimon (author), Lindsey Malcom-Piqueux, Lynn Pasquerella
  • “Becoming a Student-Ready College: A New Culture of Leadership for Student Success” by Tia Brown McNair, Susan Albertine, Nicole McDonald, Thomas Major Jr., Michelle Asha Cooper 
     

On-campus programs

SUNY Adirondack is committed to fostering discussion, educating and encouraging thought about DEI issues.

To that end, the college regularly offers on-campus programs, including:

  • A Brown Bag lunchtime discussion series that allows members of the campus community to share their experiences and expertise. Past topics include:
    • Trans 101: A Basic Training
    • Unity through Diversity: How can we make our campus more inclusive?
    • "Pathologizing Politics: Eugenics, Ableism and Political Discourse in the Modern United States"
    • "Oneida Bay is Van Buren's Bay"
    • Women in Higher Education Leadership Symposium
Aaron Mair speaks at SUNY Adirondack
  • Prominent speakers visiting campus, including:
    • Aaron Mair
    • Amy Godine
    • Roy V. Hall
  • Programming that raises awareness by acknowledging and celebrating various groups through educational opportunities
  • Partnerships and collaborations with various community organizations, including the local chapter of NAACP

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Jessica Best, Ph.D., was named as a SUNY Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice (DEISJ) Fellow.