The 64-campus SUNY college system is evolving into the Woke University of New York, mandating that all entering freshmen pass a new coursework with the theme of “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice” in order to graduate.
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According to a State University of New York document, it is required that the new college racial equity courses describe the historical and modern societal factors that influence the development of individual and group identity involving race, class, and gender; analyze the role that complex networks of social structures and systems play in the creation and perpetuation of the dynamics of power, privilege, oppression, and opportunity; and apply the principles of rights, a person’s right to life, and equal treatment under the law.
The requirement states that while the main emphasis is on equity and social justice in the US, courses may also compare what has occurred or is occurring in other nations.
According to critics, such required “equity” training really runs counter to efforts to achieve racial “equality.”
Professor Nicholas Giordano of political science at Suffolk Community College in New York State refers to the requirement as “Nuts”. He shared with the NY Post media, “SUNY is one of the best university systems in the country. Why are they doing this?!”
“DEISJ is a cultural movement, not based on academics. Unfortunately, SUNY responded to the mob.”
The new DEISJ curriculum, according to Giordano, a fellow at the conservative watchdog group Campus Reform, strives to destroy the American identity that unites all people by forming factions and putting them against one other and wants to depict the US as “inherently racist.”
According to him, the curriculum aims to characterize children “by the color of their skin.”
“To tell [minority students] they can’t compete with a white person is insulting and racist.”
Jerry Kassar, the head of the state’s conservative party, claimed that the controversy over the teaching of “critical race theory” in the lower grades is evocative of the new SUNY curriculum.
“This is a woke, left wing agenda. It’s disturbing. It’s dangerous,” Kassar declared.
“They’re treating everybody as having prejudice. It’s like a socialist, communist state. It’s unbelievable. These ideas are best addressed at home.”
Similar racial equality initiatives have been implemented on a number of other campuses around the nation, including the University of California system, Drake University, Brandeis University, and Villanova University.
To graduate, incoming students at SUNY colleges must pass a DEISJ-certified course.
In February 2021, while New York was dealing with the once-in-a-century coronavirus outbreak, the Board of Trustees of SUNY authorized the comprehensive 25-point “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Act” plan targeted at reducing “racial equity gaps.” It was developed by former governor Andrew Cuomo and James Malatras, the chancellor he personally selected.
In the subsequent news release, it was stated that the new policy required universities to “Embedded Racial Equity into Curriculum and Toward Racial Equity.” Updates to the criminal justice curriculum are also part of the agenda.
SUNY Chancellor John King praised the new DEISJ course material and curriculum as promoting tolerance and understanding.
King, the former New York State Education commissioner explained,“exposure to, and understanding of, diversity is essential to success in our modern society and economy. As a leader in preparing the future workforce and citizenry, SUNY is committed to embedding diversity into the foundation of all it does – from academics to campus life and everything in between.”
“By recognizing and celebrating our diversity and fostering respectful dialogue and debate, SUNY provides students with the world-class education they deserve.” In order to comply with the new DEISJ requirement, the SUNY Faculty Senate and Faculty Council of Community Colleges recently released guidelines on course approval.
“Since students need to complete courses prior to transfer or graduation, it is our recommendation that DEISJ content is housed in a single course,” the document says.
According to the recommendations, DEISJ will be included in a wide range of courses and programs, and “most campuses will need to make significant changes to the existing curriculum to have courses that fulfill the DEISJ learning outcomes.”
According to SUNY sources, the initiative has broad support, and administrators engaged with academics and students across campuses for months before approving it.
